‘Love your country more than politics’ – Ichung’wah tells MPs opposing Finance Bill
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah put up a spirited defence for the Finance Bill 2023 amid strong opposition from MPs allied to the Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, Ichung'wah accused his colleagues in the opposition of playing politics with the Bill which seeks to expand the country's tax base.
He insisted that the Finance Bill will help the country meets its financial obligations, including the Kenya Kwanza government's development agenda.
The Kikuyu MP said those opposing the Bill should be patriotic and pass the Bill to help the government serve the people.
"Let us not vilify what is good for political expediency. Let us be patriotic enough," Ichung'wah stated.
Ichung'wah argued that some of the proposals including the housing levy have previously been supported by the opposition led by their leader Raila Odinga.
"If the housing levy in the Azimio coalition manifesto was a good thing, it's a good thing in Kenya Kwanza manifesto and Kenya Kwanza implementing it," the majority leader added.
"If it was a good thing not to overborrow in the Azimio manifesto, it's a good thing for the Kenya Kanza government not to overborrow and raise revenue to make our country more sustainable and more economically independent. I beg all of you to be patriotic. Love your country more than you love politics and people clapping for you out there."
The opposition has whipped its members to reject the Bill in its entirety despite several concessions by the Kenya Kwanza counterparts.
Top of the concessions made in the amended Bill is the Housing Levy contribution by employers and employees which has been reduced from 3 to 1.5 per cent.
The Finance Committee also slashed withholding tax for Digital Content Creation from 15 to 5 per cent.
20 per cent VAT on Gaming and Betting has been reduced to 12.5 per cent while the mandatory 20 per cent of the contested amount deposit to Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for lodging Tax Appeal has been repealed.
TAX Rental Income has also been reduced from 10 to 7.5 per cent.
However, the Finance Committee retained the 16 per cent proposal on petroleum products.
Despite the opposition MPs' objection, the government insists the Bill will pass because of its numbers in the House.
