Catholic bishops ask Ruto to repeal Finance Act
Catholic Church bishops on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, called on President William Ruto to repeal the Finance Act 2023, amid growing pressure from the opposition to drop “punitive” tax laws.
Addressing a press conference in Karen, Nairobi, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) led by chairperson Archbishop Martin Kivuva said additional taxes introduced by the government places an unsustainable burden on Kenyans already struggling to put food on their tables.
“We ask the president to repeal the Finance Act and institute a process that will seek to achieve the same goals in the context of the current economic situation,” the bishops said.
At the same time, the clerics called for dialogue to end the ongoing anti-government protests against the high cost of living.
The bishops offered to lead mediation talks between Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga and President Ruto.
“We have tried to reach out to both of them but we have not managed to see them face to face because of the activities of this week. But if they say they are ready this week we will be there,” Archbishop Kivuva said.
They called for a resumption of bipartisan talks between the two warring parties in a different context that would involve religious leaders and other bipartisan groups.
“Kenyans and our leaders must be willing to listen to each other for the sake of our country. We demand the failed bipartisan talks should be resumed in a different context that brings on board religious leaders and some eminent persons and bodies,” Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria said.
“We believe there is no problem that cannot be solved without dialogue. No further blood should be shed.”
Azimio pulled out of bipartisan talks with lawmakers allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration last month following the passing of the contentious Finance Bill 2023.
Speaking in a public rally in Kamkunji grounds on June 27, 2023, Raila accused President Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government of imposing punitive taxes on Kenyans at a time the country is battling runaway inflation.
“What happened this past week and yesterday is not just about the Finance Act, this is about the re-emergence of a dictatorship. We all know where Mr (William) Ruto and (Rigathi) Gachagua are coming from,” Raila lamented.
The opposition chief vowed to lead a civil disobedience campaign to force the government to repeal the Finance Act. Raila said the civil disobedience would entail a refusal to pay taxes.
“Having imposed on us the punitive taxation measures contained in the Finance Act 2023 in complete disregard of our views, we declare an end to the bipartisan talks to which we had sent our delegation in the hope that Kenya Kwanza could show interest in resolving pro-people issues including the rising cost of living. It is time for action,” Raila said.
Some of the amendments passed by the National Assembly and assented into law last month include 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products and 1.5 house levy, which received wide condemnation from the opposition.