From Left: Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko and Awendo MP Walter Owino. PHOTO:IAN BYRON
Azimio elected leaders have threatened to rally their supporters for anti-government protests should the contentious financial bills sails through parliament.
In what they termed as Mother of all demos, five elected ODM leaders called on the Kenya Kwanza administration to brace for a major showdown should they force the bill down the Kenyan’s throats.
Speaking in Awendo town during a Migori ODM delegates meeting held over the weekend to strengthen the party at the grassroot, the leaders instead urged the government to amend the contentious clauses before its tabling for debate.
Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko and National Assembly minority whip Opiyo Wandayi led Seme MP James Nyikal, Suna West MP Peter Masara, Awendo MP Walter Owino in castigating the 2023 finance bill, terming it a deliberate schem by the government to starved the already burdened Kenyans.
“Among those contentious sections is the housing levy. Government should first think of controlling runaway taxes, tackle hunger and high cost of living otherwise they will be building houses for dead Kenyans,”
Migori governor Ochillo Ayacko
On his part, Mr Wanday maintained that they will rally opposition legislators in shooting down the bill “but in the unlikely event that cohesion, bribery and intimidation are used to push it through then let the executive be prepared for mass action and demonstrations”.
Ugunja MP and National Assembly Minority Whip Opiyo Wandayi. PHOTO:IAN BYRON
“President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza honchos have refused to read the telltale sign from Kenyans over the resistance to the law, and Kenyans will be forced to take to the streets.”
Opiyo Wandayi
Seme MP Dr James Nyikal faulted Kenya Kwanza for blackmailing the bipartisan talks, a move he said had left the opposition with no option but to rally Kenyans for fresh street protests.
“Every Kenyan is suffering and they have chosen to resist the bill, unfortunately, leaders are being intimidated to push it through and we will give Kenyans a chance to demonstrate against it.”
James Nyikal
Suna West MP Masara said while government operation needs to be funded, overtaxing Kenyans was an unpopular option when the economy was facing serious inflation.
“There is still enough time to review and even withdraw the bill instead of suppressing leaders and the country into having unpopular option picked.”
Peter Masara
Suna West MP Peter Masara castigating the finance bill. PHOTO: IAN BYRON,KTMN
The sentiments were echoed by Awendo MP Walter Owino who noted that while President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua benefitted from loans and government subsidies in getting university knowledge, they have chosen harass other poor Kenyans out of this right.
“As the people’s representative, we will not sit back and watch Kenya get back to a banana republic. We will ensure Kenyans come out in their numbers and say no to this dictatorship,” Mr Owino said.
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