‘Protests are regressive, give gov’t time to work’ – Muthama
Former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama has slammed the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party for calling for civil disobedience.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, Muthama termed Azimio's move as regressive and detrimental to the future of the country.
"I would wish to remind the Azimio leadership that remittance of taxes is a patriotic duty and thus asking Kenyans to act otherwise is not only retrogressive but the same will also hinder effective service delivery," Muthama stated.
Muthama, who serves as a Commissioner in the Parliamentary Service Commission has also asked Azimio and the opposition to give the government time to turn around the economy.
"With President William Ruto having assented the Finance Bill, let's now give the government time to turn around the economy and this can only happen if all Kenyans play their role in building our country. Maandamano (protests) are regressive and detrimental to the future of our country," Muthama added.
Muthama's caution to government
However, Muthama, who is a close ally of President William Ruto, has called on the government to seal loopholes which lead to theft and wastage of public resources in government.
"I plead with all leaders to soften their hard stand and embark on bipartisan dialogue for the sake of our country because we do not have a spare country. Let leaders put Kenyans' interests above their own," Muthama stated.
On Tuesday, Azimio called for a mega rally at the historic Kamukunji Grounds on July 7, 2023, to pile pressure on the Kenya Kwanza government to repeal the Finance Act.
Speaking at the Kamukunji Grounds on Tuesday, Azimio leader Raila Odinga said the opposition coalition will converge at the venue on 'Saba Saba' day to unveil a program for nationwide civil disobedience to force the government to act on their grievances.
"No more talks. Having imposed on us the punitive taxation measures contained in the Finance Act 2023 in complete disregard of our views, we declare an end to the bipartisan talks to which we had sent our delegation in the hope that Kenya Kwanza could show interest in resolving pro-people issues including the rising cost of living. It is time for action," Raila said.
Raila said the opposition would lead a campaign of defiance and civil disobedience which will take different forms at different times, including refusal to pay taxes.
