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Azimio la Umoja leaders plan to present to Kenyans a parallel budget to counter Kenya Kwanza’s, which they have branded ‘anti-people’.

They maintained that the government’s proposed tax measures were punitive and would condemn Kenyans to suffering.

The leaders at the same time called on Kenyans not to give up but to be on standby for a major push-back with the government if MPs pass the budget that will be read this afternoon.

“We believe this country needs and deserves a people’s budget. We believe in a people’s budget. We believe in a rights based budget, that budget is coming. Kenyans will have a people’s budget. We believe in a country that lives within its means so that we are not held hostage by countries that lend us money. Borrowing to spend is not a wise idea,” said former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya in a statement.

It was not immediately clear if the budget to be presented today has gone through public participation as required by law. It was not also immediately clear who will read the parallel budget and from where. However, according to Oparanya, the parallel budget will mirror the Azimio manifesto and will demonstrate what the coalition’s leaders believe should be considered to resuscitate Kenya’s economy.

The opposition spoke ahead of presentation of the 2023-24 budget estimates by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof Njuguna Ndung’u today.

This year’s Budget reading also comes against the backdrop of a heated debate on the Finance bill, 2023 which proposes several tax measures to increase and expand the country’s basket.

Call to protest

Yesterday, at a press conference at the SKM Centre in Karen, Nairobi, Oparanya announced the opposition will soon call on Kenyans to protest should the MPs pass the controversial Finance Bill, 2023.

“Join us in the next course of action that we will communicate. We shall emerge stronger. We shall overcome. We appeal to Kenyans to be on standby and on the lookout. In the event they ram this through your throats, don’t give up; don’t surrender,” charged Oparanya.

The meeting chaired by Azimio boss Raila Odinga and attended by all the principals called on Kenyans to pile pressure on their MPs to reject the bill.

Oparanya said that President William Ruto’s budget will not only hurt the middle class but will also kill the country’s struggling economy and adds to the suffering of Kenyans.

The former Kakamega County Chief also rubbished the amended Finance Bill, 2023 terming it inconsequential maintaining that they remain opposed to the Bill.

“After going through the document, our position remains that the Budget proposal remains flawed beyond redemption. As we said earlier, no amount of amendments can redeem this Bill,” said Oparanya.

Shoot down

He reiterated that all Azimio MPs have been firmly directed to shoot down the Finance Bill and should it sail through then Kenyans should be ready to ‘join opposition for the next course of action’.

 “We believe Kenyans have been hurting for a prolonged period of time. This Budget proposal prolongs and worsens the suffering of the people. Our Members of Parliament are mobilised, whipped and aligned. They will reject this anti-people Bill,” he said.

At the same time, Oparanya appealed to the Kenya Kwanza lawmakers to search their inner hearts and vote against the bill, adding that they should do it for Kenyans and not for the Executive.

“We now appeal to you the Kenya Kwanza MPs. We know that in your heart of hearts, you know this budget is wrong. We urge you to join your Azimio counterparts and stand with the people.”

The coalition had requested preliminary actions to lower the cost of living, preservation of electoral agency servers and cessation of Kenya Kwanza invasion of Azimio affiliate parties including former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party.