Kenyan youth netizens join parliamentarians to decry Kenya Kwanza’s proposed budget FY2023/24

By Imali Ngusale

As the Kenyan Kwanza government released the Ksh3.7 Trillion (US$26.4 Billion) budget statement proposal for the FY2023/24 budget, uproar and unequivocal views were echoed in the glare of media.

Last month, the Members of Parliament (MPs) from the opposition One Kenya Coalition (Azimio la Umoja) party walked out on Finance Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u as he presented the second reading of the FY2023/24 budget. The proposed budget has been the epicentre of the discussions from the onset of the year. Speaking outside parliament Opiyo Wandayi the leader of Minority said, “We cannot sanitize a flawed process, we refuse to give legitimacy to an illegitimate undertaking. We have therefore walked out from the parliament!” said Wandayi.

With the same tone, Zamzam Mohammed, MP from Mombasa County said, “We have refused to accept the proposed budget and we will stand with the Kenyan citizens because we don’t believe in the proposed budget.”

Mishi Mboko Member of Parliament, Likoni also lamented on the budget seeks to destroy the middle class. Additionally, Junet Mohammed, National Assembly Minority Leader said “We don’t believe that this budget was meant for the Kenyan people! This is a budget meant for the Kenya Kwanza government.” With the same breadth, Dr. James Nyikal, Member of Parliament from Seme said, “If the people don’t like the budget, then, the government should not shove it down their throats.”

Netizens were also not left behind the discussion. Many took it to their social platforms and echoed their views and frustrations in equal measure.

‘Harris’, a financial expert said, “If the government is struggling to pay domestic debt, imagine the pressure of foreign debt! All the increased tax percentages and new deductions are going to serve one purpose … pay off debt and not build houses.”

Another netizen who wished to remain anonymous simply said, “Tumemalizwa” Swahili for “We are finished.”

‘Maruti’, a Nairobi-based lawyer and human rights activist said, “It is difficult to trust the government. Only time will test if the government will reflect the true values of democracy” added Maruti.

“The proposed bill will only leave its citizens impoverished,” decried Lomlen a social scientist and researcher said “What the country needs now is a proper healthcare and a reliable education structure, not new expenses”.

‘Fred’, a member of the clergy and wealth activist asked, “If we contribute Ksh5,000 (US$36) per month what sort of units are we contributing towards?”

“We currently have an estimate of 18.3 million employees contributing Ksh5,000 (US$36) per month, and this means that the government will be collecting about Ksh1.098 trillion (US$7.8 billion) per year! How will the government account for these resources?” asked Fred in a seemingly concerned tone.

“The government should scrap the housing levy, Value added Tax (VAT) where it amounts to double taxation like the insurance sector,” said Maruti, “There seems to be a push for people to contribute more money rather than creation of opportunities for more wealth to be generated.”

Finally, ‘Laura’, an established banker and economic expert said, “Running our country is not like riding bicycles. We need to put in place lots of checks and balances.” Said Laura, “We need to manage the cash flow in the economy, and cushioning of common mwanainchi (citizen)”.

In general, many netizens believe that the housing levy in the proposed finance bill is a coerced investment because its interest rates are unknown.

Some netizens however believe that the Kenya Kwanza government of William Ruto, needs to be granted the benefit of doubt taking into consideration the global permutations of economic hardship seem to be universal. Others believe the Kenya Kwanza government should simply make good their promises and listen to the voices of the people.

The national assembly received over 1000 memorandums tabled against the 2023 Finance Bill. However, it seems that the government will have the last say on this matter. Whatever the case, time will tell whether the president will heed to their cry or if the netizens and the Azimio Member of Parliaments or whether their views and proposals will be mere footnotes in the public domain.

Imali Ngusale is a prolific African writer passionate about amplifying Pan-African stories on Socio-Economic Justice, Climate Change, and Politics. You can access more of her publications via her her blog at http://ngusaleimali.blogspot.co.ke.