Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua engaged in a disagreement with some Azimio leaders regarding their criticism of the Finance Bill, 2023. Gachagua confidently stated that the bill would pass through Parliament as the opposition lacks the numbers to halt it.
In response to the opposition’s opposition to the bill, Gachagua questioned why they would resist something that is guaranteed to succeed. He also expressed his confusion over how these leaders could advocate for government development while opposing proposals to increase revenue.
Addressing a gathering at St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Kitui, Gachagua called upon the opposition leaders to be honest and speak the truth. He stressed the necessity of tax collection to fund both development projects and recurrent expenses.
Gachagua found it unfortunate that opposition leaders were calling for protests against the bill without providing an alternative source of funding to pay civil servants. He highlighted the significant number of teachers recently employed and the upcoming recruitment of an equivalent number, stating that his own salary alone could not cover their salaries. Thus, he emphasized the importance of tax collection from the citizens.
Furthermore, Gachagua dismissed the Azimio coalition’s pursuit of self-determination as a mere fantasy or illusion.
In summary, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua engaged in a verbal dispute with certain Azimio leaders regarding their criticism of the Finance Bill, 2023. Gachagua confidently asserted that the bill would pass due to the opposition’s lack of sufficient support. He stressed the importance of tax collection to finance development and recurrent expenses, expressing confusion over the leaders’ contradictory stance. Additionally, Gachagua dismissed the Azimio coalition’s self-determination efforts as unrealistic.