Former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has aired his views regarding the ongoing debate on the controversial Finance Bill 2023.
He said Kenya will thrive when taxes are cut and not increased arguing that the Bill aims at spending what the country does not have.
"We believe the country will do better when we devolve more in line with the Constitution. This Bill proposes to devolve less and instead ask for more money for national government's devolved functions. Kenyans have been hurt for a prolonged period of time, the budget proposal prolongs and worsens the suffering of the people," he said.
"We believe the country will function better when we strengthen the middle class. This budget will kill the middle class and hurt millions of our people. We are passionate about access to quality education and ensuring no single child is left behind, this Bill does the opposite," he added.
The Finance Bill has come under sharp criticism from leaders and Kenyans.
Allies of President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday clashed in a stormy session as MPs debate on the Bill got underway.
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi wondered how the Kenya Kwanza government can abandon the very people they promised heaven during the campaigns period.
"How can you go round the country and promise hapless and poor people heaven then a few months down the road, you come up with a bill that seeks to choke them,'' he said.
"How can a government forget the people it is supposed to protect and literally kill them?" he posed.
However, Ruto's allies claimed that opposition MPs were playing populist politics in debating the Bill while at the same time misleading the country on its content.
Buura MP Rindikiri Mugambi told off opposition MPs saying some of those opposing the Bill have nearly half of their residents living in informal settlements.
"This committee is made up of professionals who have done a good job and we do not believe they sat anywhere taking coffee," Mugambi said.
"They sat and listened and this member who has just spoken has shown a lot of ignorance."
National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u is on Thursday afternoon expected to table the 2023/24 budget.
