Ruto puts up brave face to defend disputed Bill

President William Ruto yesterday put on a brave face in defence of the controversial Finance Act despite a court order suspending its implementation.

The Head of State was speaking in Molo, Nakuru where attended the Sunday service at St Mary’s Catholic Church. He described the Act as a game-changer that would help address most economic challenges the country was facing.

Under the Finance Bill, Ruto said funds have already been set aside to help boost the education system through the employment of 35,000 more teachers.

“I want Kenyans to understand that this is a consultative government. I want them to understand the goodies contained in the Bill. This is one year that Kenyans have come to realise there is something called the Finance Bill. Unfortunately, the Bill has been in existence all these years, it is only that those concerned never took the time to explain it to the public. We are doing ours in a different way, every view must be heard,” he said.

He said the Act will also help the government to employ Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) who in the past have been working without stipend.

“Through the Finance Bill, we have been able to set aside close to Sh110 million to pay CHVs. We want to ensure we have preventive and promotive healthcare. We have also set aside close to Sh100 million money that will help us buy them gadgets,” he said.

Head of State further said bold decisions must be made for the country to move forward.
Ruto at the same time expressed hope that the proposed taxes by his administration will ultimately transform the country.

“This moment demands singular courage. Our commitment is under test, only bold decisions will enable us to make the best of these opportunities to unlock the possibility of the Kenya we all want,” the President said.

Last week, High Court suspended the implementation of the Finance Act 2023.
Lady Justice Mugure Thande, in her ruling, said she was satisfied that the applications met a threshold for conservatory orders.

“I am satisfied that the application meets the test of conservatory orders and I do grant prayers 2 and 3 of the application until July 5, when the matter is scheduled for mention for directions,” Thande ruled.
Thande further directed that the applications be served upon all parties by June 30 and responses be filed and served by July 4.

At the same time, Ruto announced that construction work on the stalled Itare Dam will soon begin.
The President said his government had recovered the Sh15 billion which was meant for the dam that was lost during the Handshake period.

Construction works on the dam located in Kuresoi stopped in September 2018 following reports of massive corruption and abandonment.

The Italian-funded dam is expected to benefit the people of Molo, Eleburgon, Rongai and the populous Nakuru town.

Ruto said the meeting with the Italian President, the financier of the project reached an agreement that the project will proceed.

“At Itare, we had a good plan of bringing water to Molo, Njoro, Rongai, and Nakuru town, but the devil came through the Handshake and spoilt the plans,” Ruto said. The dam had been scheduled for completion in April 2021 but suffered further distress when the contracted Italian firm, Cooperative Muratoi Cementisti Di Ravenna, filed for bankruptcy in its home country.

Ruto further announced that the government has removed seven million Kenyans who were blacklisted at the Credit Reference Bureau (CRB).

On this, the Head of State, said he has fulfilled his promise just as he said ahead of the 2022 general elections.

“We have made that commitment come true. Seven million Kenyans who were blacklisted in CRB all of them have been removed,” Ruto said.

Last year, on September 28, Ruto said at least four million Kenyans would be opted out of the Credit Reference Bureau listing.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was also in attendance, urged residents from Mt Kenya to support the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying the region was awarded public offices according to the amount of support they gave.

Gachagua said there is no problem with the government giving the lion’s share of Principal Secretary positions to the region.

“Ruto’s government is intact and the attention Mount Kenya is getting is commensurate with the support they showed,” Gachagua said.

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