In a dramatic turn of events, Azimio la Umoja MPs have walked out of Parliament today to join the ongoing street protests against the controversial Financial Bill.
Prominent Azimio leaders led the MPs marching from Parliament towards the city centre, chanting slogans.
"Zakayo must go," they were heard saying.
The Bill proposes a raft of new tax measures as the government seeks to expand its revenue base and collect Sh2.9 trillion locally to service its Sh3.92 trillion 2024-25 Budget.
Chairman of the National Assembly’s Finance Committee Kimani Kuria told the House during the tabling of the Bill last week that new tax measures proposed in the Finance Bill will help bolster the revenue collection by collecting Sh346 billion.
The protesters are however opposed to the new tax proposals despite the House having adopted amendments and dropped several contentious clauses.
They include the 2.5 per cent motor vehicle circulation levy, Eco levy on locally manufactured items such as diapers and pads, increase of Excise duty on money transfer charges from 15 per cent to 20 per cent and VAT on bread and transportation of sugar.
Organisers of the protests announced last week that upon passage of the Bill, come Thursday when Ruto will be assenting to the new piece of legislation, they will organise another march to State House to continue showing dissent to the tax proposals which they have termed as punitive.
