By Jehoshaphat Kanyoro Njaro
Narc-Kenya party leader Martha Karua has called on Kenyans to unite against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
During a press conference at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday, Karua sharply criticized President William Ruto’s administration, describing it as a “cruel and heartless regime” due to the harsh proposals included in the bill.
Karua, a prominent figure in Kenyan politics, accused the Ruto administration of poor governance and reckless management of public resources.
She highlighted that unqualified individuals had been awarded key positions, exacerbating the struggles of ordinary Kenyans.
According to Karua, the forthcoming budget, set to be presented in the National Assembly, clearly demonstrates the state’s willingness to implement punitive measures with little regard for the citizens’ welfare.
“Ruto’s regime is failing, and Kenyans are being burdened. Instead of a budget to help people, it’s designed to make them suffer. Budget-making should be about making the right choices for citizens, not just funding the executives,” Karua asserted.
“You cannot appoint unqualified officers and then burden Kenyans.”Karua further argued that the Finance Bill should not be approved unless there are clear measures to protect Kenyans. She believes the current administration is motivated by private gain, rather than the public good.
“Their question is, will Ruto and his team listen to the people regarding the budget, or will they persist with this punitive approach?” she questioned. “
Sadly, this regime is busy making a budget for itself, violating article 203 (a) and article 43 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010. Budget-making should be about making the right choices for a safer Kenya, respecting the people it serves, not just funding the executive.”
Karua issued a rallying cry to Kenyans to reject the bill unanimously, stressing that continued acceptance of poor governance would only deepen the public’s hardships.
“We must reject the Finance Bill and every imposition by the Ruto regime that pushes Kenyans into destitution. We remind members of parliament that Kenyans are watching your every move to see how you respond to their cries,” she stated.
“We are a great nation, with great people. Millions of Kenyans, united, can easily check the few hundred individuals at the helm of power who are using that power to destroy our lives and country. Kenyans, this is our home, and we must fight for its survival. Let us not relent.”
This call to action comes amid growing public discontent over the bill, which proposes to increase various taxes, further straining the pockets of many salaried Kenyans.
The proposed budget has ballooned to a projected Ksh.4 trillion, up from Ksh.3.7 trillion in the 2023/24 fiscal year. Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ngung’u is scheduled to present the budget in Parliament today, Thursday, June 13, ahead of the parliamentary debate.