MPs have ignored wananchi to pass the Finance Bill 2023, and the move will push majority of poor Kenyans deep into poverty, the National Council of Churches of Kenya has said.
NCCK secretary general Canon Chris Kinyanjui on Thursday said lawmakers failed to address majority of the issues that were raised by Kenyans during public participation.
He said the Bill as passed, will push the poor to the corner with the expectation of prices of basic commodities rising.
Kinyanjui said even with much public participation, many Kenyans were left with so many questions regarding the budget making, taxation, payment of the loans and other issues.
“The budget might push the poor to the corner. Some families who never slept hungry might start sleeping without food,” he said.
The Bill was passed on Wednesday by 184 MPs mostly from Kenya Kwanza coalition and was rejected by 88 MP’s who were largely from the Azimio coalition.
However, some MPs from Kenya Kwanza led by Githunguri’s Gathoni Wamuchomba rejected it.
Kinyanjui added that, a lot of people feel that their wishes of lowering the cost of food and petroleum were not addressed to their satisfaction.
Kinyanjui asked the government to invest in agriculture so that the country can produce more food as it addresses the issues regarding food security.
He also urged it to partner with stakeholders to ensure Kenyans are food secure.
“We are calling upon the government to strategise on ways of ensuring Kenyans are food secure by adding more money to the agriculture department so that the country can produce more,” he said.
He also urged President William Ruto to spearhead the war on corruption among the civil servants to reduce wastage of public resources.
Kinyanjui spoke at Jumuiya Conference and Country Home in Kabuku area in Limuru subcounty, Kiambu, where NCCK executive committee held a two-day consultative meeting.
While issuing a statement dubbed “Justice and fairness, the bedrock of society”, Kinyanjui also assured the government of NCCK’s support while dealing with rouge church leaders whose teachings are questionable.
The cleric noted that some church leaders are misleading their flock with false teachings, radicalising them and introducing unheard doctrines.
“We have the police and all laws are clear on how to deal with people who are misleading the flock. Take action where you can and we as the church’s body shall support you” he said.
The NCCK also defended the media from being attacked by government officials, saying it was the most trusted organ by members of the public.
“The freedom of the media should be well protected by all. The government should also respect it since they are doing it freely while observing their code of conduct to ensure fairness” he said.