Azimio Leader Raila Odinga.
The Azimio la Umoja coalition has warned Kenyans of an increasing tax burden under the proposed 2024 budget policy statement.
Addressing the media on Thursday, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka noted that the Kenya Kwanza government is coming up with economic proposals, policies, and unachievable strategies.
“If the BPS is anything to go by, Kenyans must be ready to tighten their belts because the KK regime is coming after them with a second wave of taxes.
“Ordinary Kenyans, Mama mboga, boda-boda riders and the people of Mjengo, the regime is coming again with a double taxation plan with increased taxes of about Ksh27,000 per adult Kenyan,” said Kalonzo.
The Azimio principal also noted that the BPS will make life worse for ordinary Kenyans, adding that the advance tax on goods and services supplied to the government and VAT on education services will lead to an increase in school fees.
“As a coalition party, we believe that Kenyans will prosper when we cut taxes, not when we increase them. The BPS shows lofty revenue figures with huge deficits. We believe the country will thrive if the regime moderates its spending, reduces waste, and adopts a rights-based and zero-based budgeting approach,” Kalonzo said.
The former deputy president further said the Azimio coalition will reject the BPS, by all means, to avoid overtaxing Kenyans.
“The cost of living remains high as the cost of every basic commodity continues to rise. We are facing a second disastrous and painful year under Kenya Kwanza. Our conclusion on the BPS is that it does not comply with the provisions of the Constitution and the Public Finance Management Act,” said Kalonzo.
“We pledge to reject any further punitive taxation imposed on Kenyans by the regime in the name of economic transformation.
