Revolt Unveiled: Azimio MPs Stage Dramatic Exit as Treasury CS Presents Historic Budget Crafted by Ruto
On Thursday, June 15, Azimio la Umoja Members of Parliament left the chambers shortly after Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung’u began presenting the 2023/24 Budget.
In a demonstration of disapproval, the legislators jeered and chanted songs at the Cabinet Secretary (CS), and then held a separate press conference outside.
Moses Wetangula, the Speaker of the National Assembly, was compelled to restore order during the commotion.
The members of parliament left shortly after the CS stated that the budget was the first under the administration of President William Ruto and Kenya Kwanza.
In their press briefing, the Azimio legislators lamented that Ruto’s punitive tax measures would oppress Kenyans due to the budget.
“We cannot approve a budget that will harm the vast majority of Kenyans. We recognize that Rome was not built in a day, but we cannot accept this,” lamented Mishi Mboko, a representative from Likoni.
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“Azimio does not believe in this budget. This is why we have left the room. It is not for the Kenyan people but for the Kenya Kwanza government. We will not participate until we have a budget based on the Kenyan people, echoed Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.
Notably, several Azimio legislators remained in the chambers throughout the proceedings.
However, CS Ndung’u proceeded to discuss the highlights of the Ksh3.6 trillion budget mere minutes after the interruption.
The CS emphasized in his speech that the budget was based on the global economic climate and Ruto’s bottom-up economic model.
The CS stated, “The Kenyan Kwanza government has begun the journey to reduce the cost of living and improve livelihoods while simultaneously fostering a sustainable, inclusive economic transformation.”
Several Azimio representatives skipped the First and Second Readings of the Financial Bill 2023 on June 14.
Raila Odinga, the leader of the coalition party, had previously vowed to lead nationwide protests against the bill and the budget.
Raila cited the 16% tax on petroleum products, the housing levy, and the insurance compensation as provisions that his political party believed were punitive and unjustified.
Revolt Unveiled: Azimio MPs Stage Dramatic Exit as Treasury CS Presents Historic Budget Crafted by Ruto
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