By Kelvin Kiprop
A section of Human Rights Activists in the North Rift region has asked political leaders to help Kenyans better understand the contents of the proposed Finance Bill.
Led by Centre for Human Rights and Democracy Director Kipkorir Ng’etich, the activists say legislators should avoid politicising the bill and instead shift focus on letting Kenyans know the importance of taxes for the country’s progress.
Ng’etich argues that it is only through the enhanced collection of local taxes will the country grows, hence the need for the proposed bill to be passed.
“Let’s educate Kenyans on the importance of that bill, and also on matters of development,” Ngetich said.
The Eldoret-based human rights activist insists that it is important for Kenya to be self-dependent on matters of development rather than depending on loans from overseas.
In addition, Ng’etich said if the revenue collected will be used appropriately they will be more developments for the benefit of citizens.
Development across the country
He wants Kenyans to rally behind the proposals in the bill.
“It might be painful to some extend but by the end of the day there will be good results and Kenyans will have to enjoy development across the country since the government will have money to fund the projects,” noted the CHRD boss.
There has been a heated debate over some of the proposals in the Finance Bill, some of which have since become controversial.
Among the proposals that have elicited mixed reactions include the 3 per cent housing levy, a 15 per cent tax on local content creators’ earnings as well as an aim to increase Fuel VAT to 16 per cent from 8 per cent.
There have however been reports that the government has agreed to lower housing levy deductions to 1.5 per cent.
The National Assembly Committee on Finance is this week expected to table a report on the Bill that might seal its fate.
Already, the Azimio One Kenya Coalition has threatened to resume protests should the Bill be passed.
