A member of Speaker’s Panel in the National Assembly has asked the Executive to return the Finance Bill, 2024 for amendments.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma said Members of Parliament have the capacity to reduce the cost of living as majority of Kenyan citizens want to avert further protests.
Kaluma said it is possible for them to reduce the country’s budget from Sh4.2 trillion to below Sh3 trillion.
Many Kenyans have protested the big budget that has forced the government to increase taxes, which are considered burdensome.
Kaluma said a lean budget would reduce the cost of living. President William Ruto declined to sign the bill passed by Parliament due to protests orchestrated by youths across the country.
“The uproar about the Finance Bill, 2024 is the increased taxes to support the big budget by the Executive. I urge President Ruto to return the bill to Parliament so that MPs can amend it to suit the interests of Kenyans,” Kaluma said.
Speaking when he visited patients who were allegedly shot by police during the anti-tax protests at Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital on Saturday, Kaluma said the Auditor General's report had revealed that at least a third of the national budget is misappropriated.
Up to 19 people were admitted to the hospital with gunshot injuries they incurred during the protests. Governor Gladys Wanga has pledged that her administration will cater for medical bills for the victims.
Kaluma said they want all loopholes for pilferage of public funds sealed, adding that posts like Chief Administrative Secretary be scrapped because they waste public funds.
“Such positions create unnecessary expenditure which should not feature in the national budget. Let’s not overburden Kenyans with unnecessary taxes,” he said.
Kaluma said returning the budget to Parliament will enable MPs to amend the bill in manner friendly to the pockets of Kenyans.
The auditor's report reveals that a lot of money in the national budget goes to pockets of individuals.
“Let the bill be brought back to Parliament for amendments. The Executive should not proffer amendments of the budget through supplementary estimates,” the MP said.
A number of opposition MPs rejected the Finance Bill.
Gen Z has accused some leaders of embezzling public funds.
On Saturday, Kaluma said he supported the youths who did not want the bill.
“I commend the Gen Z youths for coming out strongly to oppose the bill. It showed the direction to the government on how Kenyans should be governed and any leader who misuses public funds should go home,” he said.
Ipoa and the National Police Service Commission were asked to take action against police officers who allegedly shot protestors in Homa Bay last Thursday.
“The two bodies should swing into action quickly and take action against the female prison officer over her actions,” Kaluma said.