Kirinyaga County Assembly speaker Muteti Murimi criticizes Azimio la Umoja leaders for misleading the public in the ongoing debate on the Finance Bill. Murimi argues that the Bill contains proposals aimed at revitalizing a struggling economy burdened by long-term public debts. He accuses Azimio la Umoja leaders of cherry-picking certain clauses to misguide the public for their own political gain.
Speaking during the Madaraka Day celebrations, Murimi calls on the opposition to redirect their energy from criticizing the Bill towards educating Kenyans about the clauses that can improve their lives. He highlights beneficial proposals such as zero-rated agricultural produce and farm inputs, as well as tax amnesty for business operators with pending issues with the Kenya Revenue Authority.
Murimi urges support for the government’s efforts to revive the economy and avoid further domestic and external borrowing. He defends the government’s decision to impose VAT on certain products, emphasizing the need to generate revenue and reduce the country’s debt burden. Murimi also encourages employed Kenyans to embrace the three percent housing levy.
He praises the collaboration between the county assembly and the county government and announces the drafting of development-related bills, including the establishment of a County Aggregated Industrial Park and a rural Export Processing Zone.
The speaker addresses the issue of illicit brews and substance abuse, highlighting the importance of the legal framework in securing the future of the youth and regulating the liquor business. Other MCAs at the event echo these sentiments, raising concerns about the Mau Mau veterans’ land ownership rights and urging improvements in social welfare programs. They also call for measures to combat illicit brews.