Gachagua: Finance Bill Set to Pass Despite Opposition’s Objections

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told the opposition that the 2023 Finance Bill will pass despite their objections. He said that the government is committed to ensuring the bill is passed and that it will benefit the Kenyan people.
Mr. Gachagua sent a stern warning to the opposition in Parliament for attempting to block the proposed Finance Bill, 2023. Speaking at St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Kitui County on June 3 during a funds drive, the Deputy President noted that the Opposition lacked the required numbers to throw out the Bill. He urged them to conserve their energy as the Bill was destined to pass with or without their support.
“I want to tell you even if you oppose the Bill, it will still sail through because you have no numbers, so why waste your energy,” said Gachagua in response to Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu, who had openly opposed the Bill. According to him, the lack of sufficient opposition numbers meant that the Bill was bound to pass.
Gachagua went on to caution political leaders from inciting Kenyans to reject the Finance Bill. He explained that the government has no choice but to collect taxes from the citizens if it has to finance its programs and execute its agenda. He referred to politicians’ requests to the government to initiate development projects as ‘doublespeak’, because they have denied the government the resources to finance them by inciting people not to pay taxes.
The Deputy President emphasised that the government was only trying to do its best to provide for the citizens and thus had no choice but to amend the Finance Bill. This bill is essential to maintaining the country’s fiscal sustainability and alleviating poverty.
The proposed Finance Bill, 2023 seeks to amend various laws relating to taxes and duties with the overall intention of increasing government revenues from taxes collected. The Bill has however been met with mixed reactions from politicians and Kenyans alike, with the most common factor being fear of increased taxes.
On the side of the proponents of the Bill, however, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General, Gachagua said that the country should stop giving excuses for not collecting taxes. He noted that Kenyans should pay their fair contribution if they want a prosperous nation. He also accused some leaders of being opposed to the Bill for their own electoral gain rather than giving the best for the country.
“Truth be told, if we do not collect taxes, there will be no development, it is that simple,” Gachagua remarked. The Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu, also present at the event stated that citizens should support the government’s agenda in order to promote economic growth.
On the other hand, in opposing the Bill, Mathioya MP Makali said that no country in the world had ever developed by taxing its people beyond their capacity. He argued that Kenyans were already struggling with the high cost of living, and that the Bill seeks to impose additional taxes through increasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the controversial housing levy.
He urged the government for amendments to the Bill in order to cushion Kenyans from the burden of more taxes. He further stated that the opposition was willing to sit with the proponents at a round table in order to go through the contentious clauses. He also warned that the opposition will resort to mass protests in case the talks become unsuccessful.