The budget estimates of 2022/23 were tabled in the National Assembly by CS Treasury Ukur Yattani last month. It was a budget which wasn't showing any smile on ordinary Kenyans. It is punitive to say the least now that , Kenyans are facing skyrocketing cost of living. The prices of basic commodities have hit the roof. From the cost of 2kg maize flour , wheat flour , cooking oil , cost of LPG ( liquified petroleum gas) , milk both raw and powdered etc. Kenyans who majority earn less than a dollar per day are seeing it rough. Before corona virus knocked the door in our Country , Kenya was experiencing mild inflation. The general rise of commodity prices was roughly between 7 - 8 % . This rise wasn't outrightly noticed by consumers and there were no murmurs. The shock was when the tax on petroleum products was raised. This meant that , petroleum products which Kenyans can't go with their day to day activities increased in prices. The outrage was high and wide spread. Legislators were castigated for putting ordinary Kenyans into serious Economic trench.
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This week , the finance bill , 2022 will be presented into the National Assembly by the Finance and Planning Committee which is chaired by Homabay Women Rep Hon Gladys Wanga. It is a bill which is expected to generate more heat than light because , from the onset , Deputy President William Ruto and his caramaderie criticized the budget estimates tabled by CS Yattani as being oppressive and insensitive to the plight of struggling ordinary Kenyans. He even vowed if by any chance he can be elected as thr nest President of Kenya come August 9th , he can do away with this budget estimates of fiscal year 2022/23.
Verily to say , this finance bill need very serious radical changes. Currently , Kenya's economy is facing a galloping inflation. The price of commodities have risen up within 14 - 19 % . Fact. Already , Kenyans are feeling that brunt. It is something that cannot be hidden no matter how much we may try to burry our heads in the sand. The danger is zero metres from where we are standing. We are asking for MPs from both political divides , kieleweke and Tanga Tanga camps to put their political differences and address this finance bill with sobriety. So far , the finance and planning committee will conduct a 3 day public participation. Here , individual Kenyans , civil Societies and professional bodies like ICPAK , ICIFA etc have been invited to give their opinion on this bill.
If the budget estimates will remained untouched , the cost of production will be very high because , nearly all sectors of the economy has been touched and severely injured. The cost of production in the manufacturing sector will hit the roof. Many businesses will prefer importing goods which are rather produced locally because of the high prices locally. There is will be a sever balance of payments disequilibrium. The value of imports will supercede that of exports. Local and international investors will keep off from Kenya. The Consumer Price Index ( CPI) will increase and the purchasing power will be very low.
All Kenyans are asking is the taxes which are slated to be slapped on basic commodities eg Maize flour , cooking oil , wheat etc to be rescinded. The taxes can be pushed on luxurious and sin products eg Cigarettes , alcohol etc. The Gladys Wanga led Committee is being watched with alot of keeness. MPs drawn from both political divides should not use the floor to settle Political scores to the detriment of problems facing Kenyans. Populism rants should not be given room. Sobriety and professionalism should occupy hectares of space when the finance bill , 2022 will reach to thr floor of the National Assembly. Threats , vitriolic , scathing and disparaging remarks should not be traded in Parliament. All kenyans wants to for MPs to intervene to the high cost is living . Period!!!!!
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