Raila Odinga [Photo: Pearl Radio]
Azimio La Umoja leader Raila Odinga has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) affiliated to the coalition to vote against the Finance Bill 2023.
According to Odinga, the taxes that will be levied following the passage of the bill will further burden Kenyans, amid the high cost of living.
The opposition announced that the coalition will embark on countrywide demonstrations should the bill pass in parliament in its current form.
Odinga also issued a raft of demands to President William Ruto on the Finance Bill.
“In the proposed Bill, the budget for health is growing by Sh35 billion at the national level, yet health is a devolved function,” he said.
Azimio wants Ruto to adopt zero-based budgeting and stop taking on the previous budget as the baseline.
According to Odinga, every budget must start at ground zero where everything has to be justified.
The ODM leader stated that Ruto should not grow the size of the budget but rather cut it down and live within the means.
“Instead of imposing new taxes, seal the loopholes that lead to loss of revenue,” he said.
Raila further added that the President should stop non-essential government expenditures including the appointment of Chief Administrative Secretaries.
He wants Ruto to reduce the size of the government and cut non-essential domestic and international travel.
A newsmaker, reporter and anchor at Pearl Radio, Ndalilah Sharon is witty and savvy.
She is also a firm believer of Christ.