President Ruto Expresses Satisfaction With the Finance Bill Debate

President William Ruto on Thursday acknowledged that the high cost of living has been keeping all leaders, including himself, up at night. 

He said he was pleased with the dialogue that the Finance Bill had initiated, changing the conversation from political and ethnic topics which had recently taken precedence. Speaking during the 60th Madaraka Day in Embu, the Head of State touted the shift in the national discourse. Dr Ruto further remarked that Kenya has been a leader in sparking public discourse on matters of importance to the populace, such as taxation and other policy issues. 

However, he pointed out that the discussion surrounding the Finance bill is not taking place in all available outlets and locations. His sentiments follow shortly after the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition concluded that their representatives will cast ballots against the Finance Bill 2023.

“There is a robust debate on the Finance Bill taking place everywhere in this country, churches, social places formal and informal workplaces, all media platforms and busy as well as in urban and rural gatherings. For weeks now the debate has remained issue-oriented and there is no hint of divisive ethnic rhetoric at all,” Ruto said 

The coalition, as represented by National Assembly Minority Whip Opiyo Wandayi on Tuesday, requested that the government withdraw the Finance Bill completely and resubmit it in a way that takes into consideration the needs of Kenyans.