Amukura Catholic Parish Priest Fr. Dunstan Epaalat and Busia Woman representative Florence Mutua have criticized last Thursday Sh3trillion budget.
They said the budget by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich was “anti-low income earners.”
During the budget, Rotich introduced Sh3,500 boda boda annual third party insurance, Sh10,000 Ajira Fund targeting the youth and introduction of new exercise duty on cigarettes and additional exercise duty on beer and whisky.
Speaking during a fundraiser in aid of the completion of St Louis Akorete Catholic Church, the duo said the move to “punish” the common mwananchi by taxing goods that favor them had a hidden agenda.
Mutua said introducing tax on boda bodas, petrol, maize flour, kerosene and everything will continue hurting “Wanjiku”.
She appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga to join hands in eradicating corruption in Kenya before 2022 general elections.
Fr. Eplalaat said political differences in Kenya will not be solved through politicking, adding that hatred and senior leaders washing dirty linen in public will only make people hate one another.
“The church is worried about 2022 general elections owing to the current political situation in the country, thus the urgent need for cohesion and eradication of corruption before the next election,” he said.
He said a security committee in Amukura Parish has been formed to start training members on insecurity in the county and the need to eradicate it.
“Peace in Kenya is paramount; politicians who promote hatred and engage in character assassination aimed at making people hate one another should be shunned at all costs,” he said.
The mini harambee was a success with two big Harambees scheduled for later in the year.