The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) has lauded President William Ruto for declining to sign the 2024-25 Finance Bill.
In a statement issued to media houses by the SUPKEM National Chairman Al-Hajj Hassan Hassan Ole Naado said that Ruto’s decision to concede the wishes of Kenyans and withdraw the contentious Finance Bill 2024, will help ease political temperatures currently being witnessed in the country.
“We have received the information removal of the Bill with relief, hope and promise because it has helped to cool down the political tensions that had threatened to hurtle the entire country to the brink of the precipice,” Naado said.
He thanked the head of state for choosing statesmanship over political brinkmanship by declining to assent to the Bill.
“We are particularly encouraged by the President’s acknowledgement that as much as he presides over a government, he also governs human beings,” he said.
The council chairman also appreciated the President’s invitation to all stakeholders to come together and engage each other to chart the way forward for an inclusive and prosperous country.
“The President’s invitation to dialogue and call upon all Kenyans to embrace this invitation for the good of our country,” said the council boss.
His sentiments come at a time, when the president in his address to the nation on Wednesday, proposed an engagement with young people so that they can listen to their issues and agree with them on their priority areas of concern.
“We also propose that within the next 14 days, a multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder engagement be held to chart the way forward on matters relating to the content of the bill as well as auxiliary issues raised in recent days on the need for austerity measures and strengthening our fight against corruption,” Ruto said.
This comes at a time when the youths known as Gen Z took to the streets in various parts of the country and expressed displeasure at the Bill on Tuesday.
The protests led to the death of more than 20 people and injured hundreds of them, especially in Nairobi.
While sending the message of condolence to the bereaved families, Naado said that the deaths and injuries were avoidable, if the leaders had listened to their grievances.
“It is regrettable that we have lost the lives of young souls and we wish a quick recovery to those who are recuperating in various hospitals,” Naado.
He also noted that the youth protest should be an awakening call to the government and leaders that there is a need for them to address their issues and not ignore them.
“This has shown that there were underlying issues which need to be addressed rather than the Finance Bill for these young people.
The chairman also noted that the youths are in large numbers and if their workforce can be properly utilised, it can be a resource to this nation.
“It is a time bomb, we fail to consider them in any undertaking being done by the government,” he said.
