The Opposition, led by the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Alliance, has intensified its campaign against President William Ruto’s proposed Sh3.914 trillion budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year, accusing the government of massive corruption and misallocation of funds.
The alliance, under the leadership of Raila Odinga, has directed its Members of Parliament to reject the budget, claiming that it includes over Sh1 trillion in what it calls “budgeted corruption.”
In a statement on Friday, the coalition condemned the proposed budget, which was unveiled by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u on Thursday, for what it described as punitive tax measures and unnecessary expenditures that would stifle economic growth.
“We see over Sh1 trillion earmarked for corruption in this budget. The proposed allocations are skewed and fail to address the critical needs of Kenyans. Instead, they seem to cater to a select few at the top.”
The opposition also criticized the proposed Finance Bill 2024, which they claim contains regressive tax measures that will further burden ordinary Kenyans. They particularly highlighted increased funding to the Office of the President, the Office of the Deputy President, and several key ministries, despite the government’s rhetoric of austerity.
The flagged allocations include:
- Office of the Executive President: Sh1.2 billion increase.
- Office of the Deputy President: Sh678 million increase.
- Ministry of Defense: Sh11 billion increase.
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Sh1.4 billion increase.
- National Treasury: Sh6 billion increase.
- Ministry of Transport: Sh1.3 billion increase.
- Ministry of Cooperatives: Sh2 billion increase.
“The National Treasury has an additional Sh26 billion under the guise of development,” the coalition stated. “If this government is committed to devolution, these funds should be part of the equitable share allocated to county governments.”
Kalonzo Musyoka, leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement, criticized the budget for its potential negative impact on job creation and the cost of living. “The allocations do not promote economic growth but instead perpetuate a system that benefits a select few while the majority suffer,” Musyoka said.
Musyoka also denounced the proposed 2.5% tax on the value of motor vehicles, arguing that it would significantly increase the cost of car ownership and insurance, thereby impacting the transportation and logistics sectors and driving up the cost of living through a ripple effect.
“Kenya Kwanza’s prioritization of elite financial gain over the needs of ordinary Kenyans is shameful,” he added. “This budget will lead to massive job losses and further exacerbate poverty and unemployment.”
The opposition’s stance was echoed by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna, who urged all party MPs to be present in Parliament for the crucial vote on the Finance Bill 2024 next week. Sifuna warned that any MP who fails to attend the session will face disciplinary action.
“We have instructed our MPs to suspend all other engagements and be present for the vote,” Sifuna stated. “The stakes are too high for us to ignore. This is about the future of our country and the welfare of our people.”
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