Azimio Counters Gachagua's Assurance That Finance Bill Will Pass

"The truth of the matter is this proposal you are bringing, that there is a 16% VAT on fuel, 3% housing levy, these things are against the law and they will hurt Kenyans.

"If they will not have solved the VAT issue and other things that will hurt Kenyans then we will build pressure until they (the government) comply," he committed.

Wamalwa threatened to mobilise Azimio supporters for fresh rounds of protests against the government for failing to act on measures regarding the reduction of the cost of living.

"Are you ready to return to maandamano if they do not reduce the price of unga, fuel, electricity?" he posed to the crowd adding; "If you are ready then we are ready to stand behind Raila to challenge these people (government)."

Former  Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya, during the same event, urged all Azimio Members of Parliament (MPs) to reject the Bill on the floor of the house, when it is tabled before Parliament on Thursday, June 15.

"Kenyans think that the Housing Levy is the only faulty issue in the Finance Bill.

"There are many other things in that Bill and we urge all Azimio leaders in the Senate and the National Assembly to make sure that that Bill does not pass. If it passes the problems Kenyans will face are a lot," he said.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, while speaking in Kitui County on Saturday, June 3, exuded confidence that the Finance Bill 2023 will be passed in the National Assembly, noting that the sailing of the bill would be necessary given the works and other responsibilities the government is undertaking.

"You can't say you should not be taxed yet you want the government to provide you with water, good roads, and schools to be built. 

"That is double-speak. The truth is that we must collect tax to finance our development and recurrent expenditures," he said.

He further noted that the Bill would be passed owing to the majority power the Kenya Kwanza faction wields in the August House.

"As much as we are politicking, we must collect taxes because if we don't there will be no development. But the bill will pass because we have the numbers," he promised.