The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance camp has been on the receiving end for opposing the 1.5 per cent housing levy proposed by President William Ruto through the Finance Bill 2023, yet their own manifesto ahead of the 2022 elections, had the same proposal.
Making his submission on Wednesday during the Finance Bill debate, Suna East Member of Parliament defended the Azimio’s housing levy, saying it had better structures that would have allowed the government to collect money cheaply and not what Ruto’s proposal has come up with.
Junet was responding to a question from the Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah who wondered why they are opposing the housing levy.
“I stand to oppose the bill since it is one of the most controversial bills I have ever seen. The 16 per cent VAT on fuel is the poisoned chalice in this bill. If we support it, everything else will go up. We should not close our eyes on reality. Let us tell Kenyans the truth and stand with Kenyans.”
“I want to tell the Majority leader that the housing levy we had in the Azimio manifesto is completely from what we have in this bill. Ours was structured in accordance with the Singapore model where we were supposed to collect money cheaply, affordably and in a manner bearable to Kenyans not this one they want to collect through the nose.”
“Our proposal was very different from this one, it is like day and night and therefore you should not use it as an example. If we can use the Azimio manifesto today, Kenyans would be happy and they would support the finance bill,” said the Majority Whip in the National Assembly.
Junet further claimed that the bill was prepared by the Executive without the interest of the people, and it is upon MPs to stand and defend the electorates.
by: Ressie