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Five elected opposition leaders have asked the government to brace themselves for demonstration if the finance bill is passed in parliament without amendments.
Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko and four legislators, Seme MP James Nyikal, Suna West MP Peter Masara, Awendo MP Walter Owino and Minority Whip Opiyo Wandayi said the executive was pushing the bill through parliament.
“Among those contentious sections is the housing levy. Government should first think of controlling runaway taxes, tackle hunger and high cost of living otherwise they will be building houses for dead Kenyans,” Ayacko said.
Wandayi said as opposition leaders in parliament, they have decided to vote against the bill, “but in the unlikely event that cohesion, bribery and intimidation are used to push it through then let the executive be prepared for mass action and demonstrations”.
Wandayi said President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza outfit have refused to read the sign from Kenyans over the resistance to the law, and Kenyans will be forced to take it to the streets.
Wandayi said since Kenya Kwanza had refused to give bi-partisan talks with the opposition a chance to stop demonstrations, the new bill will spark fresh streets unrest.
“Every Kenyan is suffering and they have chosen to resist the bill, unfortunately, leaders are being intimidated to push it through and we will give Kenyans a chance to demonstrate against it,” Nyikal said.
Masara said while government operation needs to be funded, overtaxing Kenyans is an unpopular option when the economy is yet to be stabilized.
“Ruto and his administration still have time to withdraw the bill, have it amended instead of suppressing leaders and the country into having unpopular option picked,” Owino said.
Owino said while President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua benefitted from loans and government subsidies in getting university knowledge, they chose to harass other poor Kenyans out of this right.
“We are forced to organise fresh street demonstrations if the bill is passed,” Owino said.
The leaders were speaking in Awendo town on Friday during a meeting organized for ODM party delegates from Awendo, Uriri and Rongo constituencies to strengthen the party at the grass root level. BY THE STAR