Food, education, healthcare first – Reuben Kigame reacts to changes on Finance Bill

Former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame has reacted to the recent proposed changes to the Finance Bill 2024.

Earlier, the National Assembly Finance Committee had dropped issues contained in the bill such as the motor vehicle tax at a rate of 2.5 per cent of the value of the motor vehicle, excise duty on vegetable oil, VAT on bread, VAT on transportation of sugar and financial services among others.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, Kigame vehemently opposed the bill in totality terming it as punitive. He pointed out that the right bill should prioritise the needs of its citizens including food, education and healthcare.

Kigame also took a swipe at police officers quelling protests over the controversial bill stating that they should refrain from stopping citizens whom he says are also fighting for their(officers) rights.

"We don't want a punitive Finance Bill. We want a Finance Bill with priorities of the people, a bill that takes care of food and education, we want our children to go to school. We want a bill that takes care of hiring doctors and teachers including the JSS teachers who are picketing, and police who are suffering, how do you pay a police Ksh18,000 hapo ndio atoe rent, atoe livelihoods, school fees ya watoto. We want to call on the security organs badala ya kuharass wananchi wakipicket join us," he said.

Kigame's remarks come ahead of the ongoing protests in Nairobi over the controversial bill. The bill will be tabled in parliament today by the National Assembly Finance Committee after a thorough review on views expressed by Kenyans during the public participation phase.

For these and more credible stories, join our revamped Telegram and WhatsApp channels.

Telegram: https://t.me/peopledailydigital

WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va698juDOQIToHyu1p