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President William Ruto now wants the courts to lift orders suspending the implementation of the Finance Act 2023, saying the move is derailing the government agenda.

Speaking when he presided over the issuance of title deeds to Embakasi residents on Tuesday, the Head of State urged the courts to dispense with the Finance Act as soon as possible to allow the government to serve Kenyans.

“I want the court to complete dealing with the finance bill. Let them leave the finance bill and allow us to carry on with our plans to develop the country,” Ruto told residents.

Defending the Finance Act which introduced additional taxes, President Ruto claimed there were deliberate attempts to sabotage the government agenda, which includes addressing the high unemployment rate in the country.

“You cannot sabotage the employment of one million Kenyans because of selfish political interests,” Ruto added.

The High Court slammed breaks on the implementation of the Finance Act on June 30 following a petition filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and four other activists.

The court declined to lift the conservatory orders yesterday. Justice Mugure Thande ruled that the petitioners had raised substantial issues and ordered that the file be sent to Chief Justice Martha Koome who is expected to set up a three-judge bench to hear the matter.

Ruto said leaders opposed to the Finance Act were envious of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s plan to turn around the country’s struggling economy.

“Hawa jamaa wa maandamano wamekasirika na mimi ati mimi nataka nichukue vijana wengi zaidi niwapeleke kazini watakosa watu wa maandamano na kutupa mawe (These people are angry that I’ve pledged to ensure the youth get jobs because the young people will not be available for their street demonstrations),” he stated.

“Please give the Kenyan people and the Kenyan youth a break. The plan we have of a million jobs for the young people in our housing program, digital, agro-processing, value addition and manufacturing program, you cannot sabotage. I will not allow you to sabotage because you have done it for so many years…this year you cannot succeed,” he added.

At the same time, the President assured the country that there will be peace tomorrow even as the opposition threatened to return to the streets for a second round of demonstrations against the Kenya Kwanza government.

He said the government will not allow any further loss of lives after six people lost their lives during the Saba Saba protests called by Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga last Friday to protest against the high cost of living in the country.