‘Amepeana demands kama nani?’ Gachagua fires back at Raila over Finance Bill ultimatum
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned remarks by Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga opposing the Finance Bill 2023, saying proposed tax increase would help finance government projects.
Raila yesterday threatened to call for nationwide protests should the National Assembly pass the controversial Bill.
But Speaking in Meru County on Friday, June 9, 2023, Gachagua accused the opposition chief of meddling in the affairs of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He said it was not in the opposition leader's place to issue demands to the government and should instead wait for 2027 to try his luck in the presidency.
"Ati amepeana demands? Amepeana demands kama nani? Umechaguliwa na nani? Wewe ni nani kwa Kenya? Si ungojee 2027 you come and persuade these people to come and give you an opportunity," Gachagua said during a meeting with coffee farmers and stakeholders at Three Steers Hotel in Meru town.
The deputy president blamed Raila for the current economic hardships, saying the Azimio leader's handshake with former President Uhuru Kenyatta derailed the Jubilee party's development agenda.
"Wewe ulikuwa kwa serikali ya Uhuru Kenyatta na ulikuwa advisor. Ungechangia hiyo maneno unasema but you did nothing. You left us a country that is torn apart and you destroyed the Jubilee agenda. You stopped housing, you stopped universal healthcare and you took us into useless ventures like the BBI," Gachagua stated.
"You had the opportunity to do those things you are saying. Can you sit back and watch how governance is done. Sisi we are focused; we have a manifesto and we have a plan for the people of Kenya."
Raila, while addressing a press conference at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation in Nairobi on Thursday, urged opposition MPs to reject the Bill in its entirety.
"This Bill is economic sabotage. If Ruto insists on this Bill, this country will go into full recession. This Bill requires and must get fierce resistance," Raila said.
Among the issues the Azimio coalition is opposed to is the proposed 3 per cent housing levy, which Raila insists is unsustainable.
“In the history of budget making in Kenya, no regime has imposed so many and so high taxes on our people in return for nothing but fantasies and fairy tales. This Bill is a disease that cannot be cured with everyday herbs. This Bill is economic sabotage, If Ruto insists on this Bill, this country will go into full recession, this Bill requires and must get fierce resistance,” Raila said.
He argued that no prudent leader withdraws subsidies on essential goods, and then increases taxes on the same goods without adding value to the workers' payslips.
