Joho faults finance bill, Ruto governance style

Muslims across the nation joined their global counterparts to celebrate Eid-al-Adha, amid a growing chorus against the controversial 2024 Finance Bill.

At the Masjid Umukulthum grounds in Kizingo, the air was filled with solemnity and resolve. Sheikh Islam Ahmed led the congregation, joined by former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, his elder brother and businessman Abu Joho, Mombasa Speaker Aharub Khatri, and Mombasa ODM branch chairman Mohammed Hamisi Dee, among other notable figures.

Describing the finance bill as an assault on the nation’s economy, Joho, the ODM deputy party leader, urged legislators to transcend political divides and send a powerful message to the Kenya Kwanza administration by rejecting the bill.

“It is unfortunate that the leadership at the top is playing a major role in economic sabotage,” Joho said.

He castigated the model of governance deployed by President William Ruto’s administration as unreasonable, saying the model has never worked anywhere in the world.

Economic sabotage

The former Mombasa governor reckoned that those in government are only keen to serve their selfish interests.

“This is the time the country needs to stay together, especially in our Parliament. We want to see legislators who are ready to say no to economic sabotage and instead stand up to speak and articulate issues that affect the common mwananchi,” he said.

“When you are a government, you are supposed to facilitate the growth of business. But if you take any action that is to the contrary, like supporting a legislative process that will go on to result in closure of businesses, then you should know that you are part of those undertaking economic sabotage.”

He added: “You may be in position where Kenyans can’t reach you to tell you or are afraid to take action against you, but your contribution towards closure of businesses in the country is part of economic sabotage and you are only making our people poorer by the day.”

Joho’s impassioned speech echoed across the grounds, where he had gathered with fellow Muslims for Salat Al Eid, a significant prayer marking the first day of Eidal-ulAdha.

Chief Kadhi Abdulhalim Hussein urged Muslims to be kind to the less fortunate in society as they celebrate Eid-al-Adha.

Eid-al-Adha is marked on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja in the Islamic lunar calendar. Millions of Muslims from across the globe congregate in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for the annual pilgrimage.

The festival of sacrifice is important in the Islamic faith as Muslims commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim’s consecration and willingness to sacrifice his son. This was a command from God to test Prophet Ibrahim’s commitment. At last, he slaughtered a ram in place of his son.

Muslims slaughter an animal after Eid prayers as a commemoration of Prophet Ibrahim’s readiness to sacrifice his son. The animal must be in good health and attain a certain age to be slaughtered.

The meat from the slaughtered animal is then divided into three equal portions: one for family use, another for neighbours and friends and the final portion for the less privileged in society.

Less fortunate

Chief Kadhi Hussein led thousands of Muslims in the Eid-al-Adha prayer at the Tononoka Grounds in Mvita sub-county.

Eid-al-Adha, he said, is a major Islamic festival and is a day to remember God, give charity to the less fortunate and visit relatives to strengthen the bonds of relations.

“It is a day of remembrance of the father of all prophets, Ibrahim, and his son Ismail, who were given a daunting task. It teaches us the devotion of Ibrahim, who was ready to sacrifice his son in fulfilment of God’s decree,” explained Chief Kadhi.

“As Kenyan Muslims, if we are not devoted we won’t be able to accomplish anything,” he added, urging Muslims to take the cue from Prophet Ibrahim by slaughtering an animal to mark Eid-al-Adha.

Muslims were encouraged to shun drug and substance abuse.

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