SIFUNA, KENYANS SHOULD VOTE ON HOUSING LEVY, NOT MPS
Written by Obwoge Joseph on May 25, 2023
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna. PHOTO:COURTESY
By Whitney Akunga
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has suggested that Kenyans should be allowed to vote on the Housing Levy proposed in the controversial Finance Bill 2023.
The proposed contribution has met uproar from the public and members of the opposition as the government has been explainning why the levy should be made mandatory.
Speaking on Thursday, Sifuna said that the government has been acting in utmost ignorance on making its decisions and has barely made efforts to engage the public on how they can best generate revenue without exacerbating the cost of living.
“You are not listening to the hustler, to the professionals, civil society, us as the representatives of the people, you are closed up in this State House where you just sing hosanna from morning to evening and you impose these things without wanting to listen to anyone you just dismiss all of us,” he said.
“We don’t look for jobs to pay taxes, we look for jobs to improve our financial standing to help our families come out of poverty and feed our children.” Sifuna added.
Sifuna further argued that the tax increments the Kenya Kwanza administration has already made are a clear indication that they are not ready to engage the public in constructive negotiations.
“Listen to someone, the hustler is crying he is saying please don’t increase the VAT on fuel you are saying it will pass whether they like it or not,” he said.
Citing reference from Article 1 of the constitution which articulates the supremacy of the people, Sifuna said that the levies should be left for the public to debunk and not MPs.
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