As the Finance Bill 2024 looms on the horizon, Azimio la Umoja has laid out a comprehensive strategy to counter President William Ruto’s controversial tax proposals. The bill, scheduled for tabling on Tuesday, has already sparked significant debate due to its revenue-raising measures.
In a bid to thwart the bill’s passage, Azimio has organized a multi-faceted approach that includes parliamentary maneuvers, legal battles, and street protests. The plan was meticulously crafted to ensure that the Finance Bill 2024 is defeated in its entirety.
The opposition’s strategy will unfold over the next few days, with the bill being debated in the House for two days before a vote is taken. In a show of unity and preparedness, opposition MPs are set to convene at the Parliament buildings on the same day the bill is tabled to deliberate on its contents.
In an internal communication seen by The Star, Azimio has scheduled a crucial Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting to finalize their strategy. The meeting is set for Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at 5 pm in the Mini Chamber at County Hall. Attendance is mandatory for all members, underscoring the seriousness of their opposition to the bill.
“Upon consultations, we have scheduled a PG meeting in the Mini Chamber at County Hall on Tuesday, 18th June 2024, at 5 pm,” read the invite. “The meeting shall deliberate on the Finance Bill 2024 and chart the strategic way forward. Let’s endeavor to acquaint ourselves with the bill before that time. Physical attendance is mandatory. Thank you.”
National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi spoke to The Star, expressing his determination to lead a robust opposition against the bill. “Our troops will mount unprecedented roadblocks to ensure the tax proposals do not see the light of day,” he declared.
The Finance Bill 2024, which includes various measures aimed at increasing government revenue, has been met with resistance from several quarters, with critics arguing that it places an undue burden on ordinary citizens. Azimio’s strategy to block the bill includes leveraging their parliamentary presence, initiating legal challenges, and mobilizing public protests to create pressure on the government.
As the debate unfolds, all eyes will be on Parliament and the actions of both the ruling and opposition parties. The coming days are expected to be a test of political strategy and public sentiment, with the outcome of the Finance Bill 2024 hanging in the balance.
