Jobless Kenyans Should Ignore Finance Bill Noise - Gachagua

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has implored Kenyans who are out of work not to take heed of anyone who tries to deceive them with regard to the Finance Bill 2023.

In a statement on Friday, the DP proclaimed that Ruto's administration would not tax the jobless. He hailed the contentious Housing Fund saying that it is leaning on eradicating slums and creating jobs. Gachagua underlined the importance of the government generating more money to build roads and supply water.

"We are telling unemployed Kenyans that they should not bother about those who are employed and misleading them to oppose the Finance Bill because you will not be taxed since you don't have a job. People from across the country want services to be provided. The money to finance all these services must be collected from somewhere that is why we have the Finance Bill," he said. 

Gachagua's assertions come at a time when the Finance Bill has been hurled with heavy resentment from Kenyans. The housing fund suggests a 3% mandatory levy from employees. Further, the bill seeks to institute a 15% tax on all creative content. If the Bill is passed, the Value Added Tax on petroleum will be doubled, from 8% to 16%, which could lead to a surge in goods and services and an even tougher cost of living.

The opposition leader professed that they would unite and overrun President William Ruto if he imposes the Finance Bill on Kenyans. He affirmed that the government should not be allowed to infringe on the nation's democracy. The former prime minister further appealed to citizens to decline the new taxes. Additionally, Raila pointed out that the high taxes are restraining development, and thus Ruto should not be compounding the hardships of the people.