Catholic Bishops have added their voice to the Finance Bill 2024, observing that if passed in its current form, the bill will be oppressive and cause untold suffering among Kenyans.
In a statement The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops said, while it appreciates that the government has a responsibility to raise taxes to support public services, the clergymen are concerned about several proposed measures in the Bill aimed at raising revenues, and the entrenchment of corruption in the public institutions and the wastage of public resources on non-essential activities.
KECOBO General Secretary Rev. James Waweru Mwaura in the statement said the Bill affects basic commodities such as bread, hence negatively impacting the poorest in the community.
The Conference has also pointed out the bill’s impact on the efforts to combat climate change, saying SMEs and individuals might revert to using older, less fuel-efficient vehicles to avoid higher taxes on newer, fuel-efficient vehicles to avoid taxes on newer, fuel-efficient hybrid and electric cars.
The statement comes a day after the finance and national planning committee finalized the public participation drive of the bill ahead of report writing for tabling for the second reading.