We'll pass Finance Bill very early in the morning—MP Baya

Deputy Majority Leader of the National Assembly Owen Baya has dismissed those opposing the Finance Bill 2023, saying they will not succeed.

The Bill, which is coming before the National Assembly Tuesday, is facing strong opposition from Azimio legislators and Kenyans at large.

Baya urged Kenyans not to be confused by politicians, who are trying to undermine  President William Ruto's vision.

Already in Kilifi county, Magarini MP Harrison Kombe has said the bill ‘will die on arrival’ in the assembly as they will vote against it.

Speaking during the launch of an Islamic training school for orphans sponsored by a German NGO in Mtondia area, Kilifi North MP said people have branded the Finance Bill bad, adding that some people do not know anything about but were already opposing it saying its bad.

“It's not because I am a leader in Parliament but because I am a Kenyan who wants development for Kenya and my people in Kilifi to get development. Its not possible for development to be in place if the government will not collect tax,” he said.

The legislator said those who are well off should help the poor and it's through taxation that the economy can boom.

He said in Kenya, there is a culture that the rich do not want to help the poor, adding that in the proposed Finance Bill their aim was to address the equality issue.

“We want equity so that everybody moves from bottom to top but some people are saying they will oppose the Finance Bill but I am saying we will vote for it and it will pass, we get tax and do development for the people,” he said.

Baya said there was no way he could oppose a Bill that would bring development.

He said the Bill had so many benefits for the people including job creation, money for development and end the culture of borrowing money from the international community which is payed in dollars.

Currently, he said, the country has a debt of Sh10 trillion and the nation is only able to collect Sh2 trillion, adding that it will be difficult to pay the trillions if changes being made in the Bill are not approved.

The Deputy majority leader said the media and opposition have a propaganda to water down the Finance Bill but shall not succeed.

“I want to tell you people of Kilifi that you will be the biggest beneficiaries if the Finance Bill is passed because we will get money to develop the county from the government, we shall build roads which will come from the tax,” he said.

The MP said people should pay taxes so as to develop the country and end over-reliance on funds borrowed from the international community.

The aim he said is to see 200 housing units built in Kilifi and through taxation, this can be achieved.

“We shall pass the Bill very early in the morning because we know it will bring development,” he said.

On his part, Kombe of ODM said they were eagerly waiting for the Bill to be tabled in Parliament to reject it.

“We are waiting for it and that is like dead on arrival because I do not see myself putting my signature at a place where I will personally be affected and the entire Kenyan citizens will be affected,” he said.