Raila Fires Fresh Protests Warning Ahead Of Finance Bill Tabling In Parliament
Raila expressed that the Azimio coalition would give Kenyans the way forward after the National Assembly debates the bill.
Marvin Chege 
Azimio la Umoja leader, Raila Odinga on Wednesday, June 7 hinted at the return of nationwide mass protests if the controversial Finance Bill 2023 is passed in the National Assembly.
Speaking at Chungwa House where he met members of the Gusii Community living in Nairobi, the former Prime Minister alleged that the President William Ruto-led administration was ignoring Kenyans including the so-called hustlers who propelled them to the top of the country in the 2022 general elections.
Raila expressed that the Azimio coalition would give Kenyans the way forward after the National Assembly debates the bill.
“The Kenya Kwanza leadership has refused to listen to the cries of hustlers, mama mboga, boda boda riders, and other Kenyans who can barely afford two meals a day and are insisting on imposing more taxes on the already suffering populace.
Raila Odinga interacts with members of the Abagusii community at Chungwa House on June 7, 2023. /TWITTER
“Tomorrow they will table the Finance Bill in the National Assembly and next week on Thursday the Treasury CS will read the budget after which the Finance bill will be discussed. If they pass the Finance Bill we will blow the trumpet,” vowed Raila.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader disclosed concerted efforts by Members of Parliament (MP) to ensure that the conscientious Finance Bill sails through the August House but expressed confidence that Kenyans will reject it.
This is because Kenyans are suffering more in the current regime which is eight months old than the previous regime, with Raila claiming that Kenya Kwanza entered into power through third-party means.
“They want to table the controversial bill in parliament tomorrow for the second reading and then have the Treasury CS present the budget statement on Thursday next week. They are determined to have it passed, but Kenyans will resist.
“Kenyans are hurting. They are suffering. They came to power through the backdoor when they were not ready to govern and now want to pour their inefficiency on poor Kenyans”, he said.
Raila's hints at returning to protests add to sentiments made by Eugene Wamalwa, the former Defence Cabinet Secretary and current Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-Kenya) leader, hinting at the return of bi-weekly protests should the Bill be passed.
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)."
The Finance Bill will be tabled in Parliament on Thursday, June 8, for Members of Parliament to deliberate and vote for or against it.
MPs have up to Thursday, June 15, to determine the fate of the Bill before the reading of the 2023/24 budget.
President Ruto on Sunday, June 4 dressed down members of parliament who would oppose the government's Finance Bill, suggesting that they vote for the controversial bill in Parliament in an open ballot.
The Head of State expressed his desire in knowing the identities of the politicians who would vote against the Bill, adding that Kenyans ought to know the leaders who oppose the Bill providing youth opportunities yet they were voted for to create the same.
