Eyes now on Ruto on punitive budget

With the government already settled on June 13 as the day Prof Njuguna Ndung’u will formally read his 2024 budget speech, all hopes are now on President William Ruto, the Budget and Appropriations Committee and the bicameral House to determine whether the punitive measures outlined in the Finance Act 2024 remain. Only the three have the final say on whether to curtail the growing sense of hopelessness among Kenyans.

Never before have the cries of Kenyans been as loud as they have been over the proposed Finance Bill 2024. Save for some few dyed-in-wool United Democratic Alliance (UDA) sycophants, the protests have been uniform – make changes in the interest of the larger population.

The Church, manufacturers, lawyers and experts in almost all spheres have clearly told Ruto to listen to the cries of Kenyans, who are facing hard economic times worsened by the effects of  flooding and drought before that.

The bill seeks to impose higher taxation on almost everything as many families are going to bed hungry, businesses have collapsed, and people have lost their jobs even as the cost of living continues to rise.

Even as the Ruto administration devises means and measures to raise enough revenue and wean Kenya off the donor dependence syndrome, it must consider adopting policies and strategies that can give Kenyans hope while addressing the economic challenges in the short and long terms.

Kenyans need a serious plan to kick-start the economy that Ruto and his allies claimed was on its deathbed when they came to office. But it is also indisputable that the strategy need not be one that hurts the masses.

It does not surprise anyone that many Kenya Kwanza-allied MPs have joined the masses in rejecting the tax increases proposed in the Finance Bill 2024.

Professional lobby groups such as the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and the Institute of Certified Accountants of Kenya have raised the alarm over the potential collapse of the country’s production and manufacturing sectors if the Finance Bill is passed.

Thus Ruto, lawmakers and the budget committee have a moral duty to listen to the cries of Kenyans over the repugnant proposals.

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