KANU Chairman Gideon Moi has made a strong appeal to President William Ruto, urging him not to sign the recently passed Finance Bill 2024 into law. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Moi argued that the President’s assent to the bill would exacerbate the already challenging economic situation in the country.
“Even as we urge for sobriety, the onus is now on the President to put the well-being of the country above anything else and return the Bill to Parliament,” Moi said. He emphasized the need for the government to retain the current Finance Act of 2023 while it implements austerity measures to reduce excessive expenditure and close loopholes that allow for financial mismanagement.
Moi’s plea comes amid widespread protests against the Finance Bill 2024. Demonstrators have expressed strong opposition to the bill, which includes new tax proposals that they argue will burden ordinary Kenyans. The KANU leader condemned the government’s response to these protests, labeling the attack on protesters as unjustified.
“To treat aggrieved Kenyans as the enemy, rather than addressing the Finance Bill itself, is to misdiagnose the economic turmoil facing the country,” Moi stated. He stressed that addressing the root causes of the economic challenges, rather than suppressing dissent, is crucial for the country’s stability and progress.
The Finance Bill 2024 has sparked significant controversy, with critics arguing that the new tax measures will disproportionately affect lower-income citizens and small businesses. The bill’s proponents, however, maintain that the additional revenue is necessary to fund key government projects and services.
As the nation awaits President Ruto’s decision, the debate over the Finance Bill 2024 continues to highlight the broader economic and social issues facing Kenya. Gideon Moi’s call for the President to reconsider the bill reflects a growing sentiment among political leaders and the public for a more measured and equitable approach to economic policy.
