• Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has pointed out that Kenyans should be allowed room to vote on the Housing levy proposed in the controversial Finance Bill 2023
• The proposed contribution has met uproar from the public and members of the opposition as the government has tried to explain why it should be mandatory
• Sifuna said that the government has been acting in utmost ignorance on making its decisions without involving the public
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has pointed out that Kenyans should be allowed room to vote on the Housing levy proposed in the controversial Finance Bill 2023.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna
The proposed contribution has met uproar from the public and members of the opposition as the government has tried to explain why the levy should be made mandatory.
Speaking on Citizen TV’s interview on Thursday, Sifuna said that the government has been acting in utmost ignorance on making its decisions and has barely made efforts to engage the public on how they can best generate revenue without exacerbating the cost of living.
“You are not listening to the hustler, to the professionals, civil society, us as the representatives of the people, you are closed up in this State House where you just sing hosanna from morning to evening and you impose these things without wanting to listen to anyone you just dismiss all of us,” he said.
“We don’t look for jobs to pay taxes, we look for jobs to improve our financial standing to help our families come out of poverty and feed our children.”
Sifuna further argued that the tax increments the Kenya Kwanza administration has already made are a clear indication that they are not ready to engage the public in constructive negotiations.
“Listen to someone, the hustler is crying he is saying please don’t increase the VAT on fuel you are saying it will pass whether they like it or not,” he said.
“The hustler is telling you that they cannot afford an increase of Ksh.5 on bread and you have already increased the price of bread. You promised these hustlers that you were going to reduce the price of unga. You are lying to them every single day that Unga is Ksh.150, Ksh.160.”
The legislator however lauded members of the public who have been holding meetings to air their grievances on the proposed Bill, urging them to also onboard leaders to the talks.
“I am happy with Kenyans, I am happy with the civic responsibility is beginning to be taken seriously by Kenyans. Let Kenyans express themselves,” he said.
“I want to encourage every Kenyan that on this particular one because it is going to affect you, please speak to your MP.”
Citing reference from Article 1 of the constitution which articulates the sovereignty of the people, Sifuna said that the levies should be left for the public to debunk and not MPs.
“I would have wished a situation where Kenyans themselves be given a chance to vote on this housing levy because as you have seen the current regime is deaf to all of us,” he said.
“Instead of the 290 MPs voting on this bill each constituency should vote on this tax, it should be very interesting.”
