Mavoko MP Patrick Makau has urged Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to stop chest-thumping and serve the common mwananchi.
Criticising attempts to bulldoze the Finance Bill through Parliament, the MP said politicians should remember leadership is not permanent.
“Let’s pray for our leaders. DP Gachagua saying the bill will pass ‘mpende msipende’ is chest thumping,” Makau said.
He was speaking to faithful on Sunday at African Brotherhood Church, Mumandu, in Machakos Township.
The bill has been under fire for aiming to increase taxes on Kenyans amid a high cost of living.
Makau said leaders should humble themselves as they listen to the electorate who made them occupy the positions.
"God can take these leadership positions we are holding and give them to other people," he said.
The MP, who doubles up as a commissioner at the Parliamentary Service Commission, said he will shoot down the Finance Bill when presented in Parliament.
He urged his colleagues to join him in opposing the bill, saying one cannot improve the life of a citizen by overtaxing them.
“Even the rains have disappeared and crops, including maize, have withered in farms across the country. So, if you tell us to pay the proposed taxes, where will ‘Wanjiku’ get it?” Makau asked.
He criticised the bill for taking 15 per cent of insurance compensations.
“It goes against the principles of insurance. You can’t take away what I have insured for. We need to remove such clauses in the bill,” he said.
He also condemned how it aims to deals with tax disputes.
“If KRA says you haven’t paid taxes for 20 years and it wants you to pay Sh100 million, for example, the bill states that before you start defending yourself, you must deposit 20 per cent before you are heard,” Makau said.
“Where will one get Sh20 million for him to be heard?”
Makau said the bill if implemented as it is will lead to the collapse of lots of businesses in the country.
“We are saying, this bill will encourage witch-hunting and its going to kill businesses,” he said.
He said the bill proposes to raise VAT on petroleum products from the current eight to 16 per cent.
“So, if a litre of petrol was going at Sh190, add eight per cent to that, transport will be expensive alongside cooking gas, and other petroleum products,” Makau said.
He said the proposed 3 per cent housing tax should be optional.
"I already have a house, why tax me? You must understand why we are opposing this bill. We aren't fighting the government, we are telling them it isn't the right time," Makau said.
More than 30 Machakos MCAs later joined the MP in opposing the bill at AIC Makutano in Mavoko.
Minority leader and Matuu MCA Judas Ndawa urged the National Assembly to reject the bill.
“Leadership comes from God and if we are given that leadership, we must listen to those who we lead. Kenyans have said no to the bill,” he said.
“There is a lot of noise in the country on the proposed bill. Those making noise aren’t bad. The bill has lots of clauses with controversies, such us 15 per cent taxation on insurance.”
Ndawa said insurance compensations were not profits but indemnities hence should not be taxed.
