Proposed Finance Bill 2023 In A Stalemate.

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Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga has taken the Kenya Kwanza government head-on, strongly opposing its proposed Finance Bill 2023, terming it as a mere punishment for Kenyans.

While speaking at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Upper Hill, the opposition chief fumed against President Ruto’s proposed bill, citing that it is shocking how a government that promised to lessen the burden for the normal Mwananchi has turned its back on them.

Raila said that the Finance Bill 2023 is only intended to suffocate members of the public as its outlined increment of taxes will only bury every single citizen, especially the jobless youths in the country.

It is even more shocking that a regime that promised to lessen the burden of the so-called hustlers, mama mboga, watu wa mjengo, can turn its back so soon on the same people. The tsunami of taxes in that Bill will bury everyone, especially the jobless youth and the poor struggling down at the bottom. The Bill is a promissory note to strangle and suffocate the hustlers from whose necks Ruto promised to remove the rope.”
Raila Odinga remarked.

Raila Odinga Promises to Fight Proposed Finance Bill 2023 Further

The opposition party has promised to stand strong through its membership, in making sure that the proposed financial budget is not passed in the National Assembly. Raila Odinga further termed the Finance Bill 2023 as Kenya Kwanza’s Bill and not a Finance Bill for the entire nation.

We wish to make it clear from the outset that as a party, we will try our best to ensure that this anti-people budget is not passed by the National Assembly. In the event that Kenya Kwanza uses its hired majority and passes the Bill as it is, we want the people of Kenya to understand that it is Kenya Kwanza’s Bill. It is Kenya Kwanza’s budget. It will be Kenya Kwanza strangling Kenyans. We will instruct our MPs to have nothing to do with it.”
Raila Odinga added.

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He also commented on the levy inflicted on housing, where all government employees are expected to pay a 3% tax of their monthly income in order to cater for a housing program implemented by the Kenya Kwanza government. Raila spoke out about the government proposal, expressing his sense of curiosity and terming it as illegal borrowing.

We find it curious that while not everyone qualifies for the proposed affordable housing regime, everyone is expected to pay. This is illegal borrowing. According to the Bill, those who do not qualify for the affordable houses will have their monies refunded or transferred to beneficiaries, after seven years. There is no mention of interest accrued on the money.”
Raila said.

Either, he also fails to dance to the government’s tune of trying to tax beauty products like wigs, false beards, eyelashes, human hair, and artificial nails.

Beauty products like wigs, false beards, eyelashes, human hair and artificial nails will see their taxes rise from Sh0.6 to Sh2.5 which is about a 316 per cent rise. Like the digital economy, the beauty industry has become a major employer particularly for our youth and women who have been unable to find work elsewhere.
It is a home to hustlers. Now Kenya Kwanza is going after their earnings. Kenya Kwanza wants to treat beauty as a luxury. I disagree.”
Exclaimed Odinga.

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The read more about Proposed Finance Bill 2023 click here The Finance Bill, 2023 (the Bill) was submitted to the National Assembly by the National Treasury for consideration and enactment into the Finance Act.

The Finance Bill 2023 seeks to implement a number of changes, including a change in turnover tax, which is currently applicable on sales worth Ksh1 million and above and it stands at one percent. The Bill proposes that the tax be applied on sales from as low as Ksh500, 000. The tax is being raised from 1 percent to 3 percent. The Bill also seeks to raise pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) taxes from the current 30 percent to 35 percent on those earning Ksh500, 000 and above.