Gideon Moi cautions Ruto against approving Finance Bill 2024
By Lutta Njomo, June 26, 2024
Pressure has mounted on President William Ruto to drop the contentious Finance Bill 2024 and give dialogue a chance.
Former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has jumped onto the bandwagon, asking Ruto to rethink his stance on the Finance Bill.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, Moi who serves as KANU National Chairman, warned the Head of State against assenting to the Bill after it sailed through in Parliament.
Moi pointed out that Ruto dismissing dissenting voices and approving the Bill to become an Act of law would exacerbate the already dire situation in the country.
“Indeed, by assenting to the Finance Bill, 2024, the President will be making an already bad situation worse. Even as we urge for sobriety, the onus is now on the President to put the well-being of the country above anything else and return the Bill to Parliament,” Gideon Moi stated.
Advise to Ruto
The former Baringo Senator urged President Ruto to drop the Finance Bill 2024 and continue implementing the 2023 one. At the same time, he challenged the Kenya Kwanza regime to implement austerity measures fully.
Additionally, Gideon Moi challenged the current regime to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
“In the interim, the Finance Act, 2023 should remain in effect while the government undertakes austerity measures to cut down on excessive expenditure and seal loopholes of pilferage. Additionally, it is imperative that the government embarks on creating a conducive environment for business and direct foreign investment, including manufacturing and value addition to create employment opportunities for our young people.
“Without shifting our focus from taxation to industrialization, the continued increase in tax rates will not necessarily translate to increased tax revenues,” Gideon Moi wrote.
KDF deployment
Further, Gideon Moi has called out the government for deploying Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers on its citizens. He described the move as uncalled for which threatens to slide the country into total anarchy.
“However, it must not be lost on us that these unjustified deaths were occasioned by vehement opposition to the Finance Bill, 2024, and the situation is likely to be exacerbated with the impending deployment of KDF. Their duty is to protect our territorial integrity and not to kill innocent Kenyans exercising their democratic rights.
“To treat aggrieved Kenyans as the enemy, rather than addressing the Finance Bill itself, is to misdiagnose the economic turmoil facing the country. The people are braving harsh economic conditions with diminished household and disposable incomes yet they are treated to outlandish and flashy lifestyles public officials are indulging in,” he stated.
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