Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka has warned the government against reintroducing sections of the rejected Finance Bill, 2024 claiming it is a recipe for chaos.
Kalonzo accused President William Ruto of provoking Kenyans by sneaking back parts of the tax law that sparked nationwide protests.
Speaking in Nairobi yesterday, Kalonzo, who was accompanied by other leaders, said the government should not take advantage of the prevailing calm to provoke Kenyans.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi is pushing through new tax measures from the defunct finance bill which the government claims are non-contentious.
The tax proposals are currently undergoing public participation.
The opposition leaders say there will be a return of protests should the government bring back the new tax measures in Parliament for consideration.
They included DAP-K leader Eugine Wamalwa, former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s lawyer Ndegwa Njiru.
“We might see calmness in the country and assume the country is peaceful, bringing back this finance bill is like bringing the storm that caused the bloodshed. We want to reach out to the broad-based government and ask it not to provoke Kenyans,” Wamalwa said.
National Assembly Minority Leader Robert Mbui said they will resist any attempts to bring back the draconian measures, insisting Kenyans will not hesitate to return to the streets to express their disapproval.
“Our youths are still angry out there. This is calm before the storm, we know there is an intention in Parliament to bring back some of those laws through the backdoor,” he said.
The leaders spoke at the SKM centre during a ceremony to celebrate Kalonzo for his peacemaking efforts.
In an apparent u-turn, Kalonzo said Wiper will not leave the Azimio coalition but will work with DAP-K and reach out to like-minded leaders and parties to join the coalition.
There have been talks of a possible political deal between Kalonzo and Gachagua ahead of 2027 polls. “In order to consolidate opposition in Kenya we will have to work work with everybody. We will talk to everybody in order to build a strong coalition,” Kalonzo said.
“I don’t think DAP-K or Wiper has given notice. Nobody is walking out from this side,” he said. Kalonzo urged Kenyans to be cautious with the state plans to vaccinate 22 million cows warning the move is dangerous.
“After the vaccination of 22 million cows, We will be eating that has been genetically modified,” he said.
The government has promised to vaccinate all 22 million cattle in the country in January next year.
Another 50 million sheep and goats will also be vaccinated.
