Raila Should Raila Should Be The Last Person To Fault Ruto For Assenting To Finance BillBe The Last Person To Fault Ruto For Assenting To Finance Bill
The Mt Kenya Times 
Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- The decentralization of power to create 47 devolved units and new clauses meant to fast track the separation of power between the three arms of the government, namely Executive, Parliament and Judiciary. Raila would describe these clauses as a key milestone.
- The constitutional mandate of Parliament is three-pronged: Legislation, oversight and representation.
- In exercise of this power, parliament recently debated and passed the Finance Bill 2023. After this, the law requires the Speaker of the National Assembly to submit the Bill to the President for assent.
- So, contrary to the impression created by Raila and his brigade, the President had not broken any law.
The Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Party leader Raila Odinga was one of the key players during the clamor for the new constitutional dispensation.
During the referendum campaigns, he minced no word in rallying Kenyans to turn up in large numbers and vote in support the proposed draft constitution.
He repeatedly termed the draft as the best and most progressive in our time.
This is while likening it to the constitution of America and that of South Africa.
He was also upbeat that for the first time Kenyans got an opportunity to fully participate in this process.
The draft captures the views and memoranda you presented to the committee of experts (CoE).
The decentralization of power to create 47 devolved units and new clauses meant to fast track the separation of power between the three arms of the government, namely Executive, Parliament and Judiciary. Raila would describe these clauses as a key milestone.
The constitutional mandate of Parliament is three-pronged: Legislation, oversight and representation.
In exercise of this power, parliament recently debated and passed the Finance Bill 2023. After this, the law requires the Speaker of the National Assembly to submit the Bill to the President for assent.
So, contrary to the impression created by Raila and his brigade, the President had not broken any law.
I want to distance myself from Azimio’s argument that the MPs voted out of fear.
Prior to this, the body language and sentiments attributed to the President were very clear.
He never resorted to blackmail, intimidation and issuance of any threats.
He instead used persuasive language in reaching out and seeking the support of the MPs in both sides of political divide.
I’m fully aware that you have the final word on this Bill. Please I call upon you not to let me down. As Kenya Kwanza government, we made a raft of lofty promises during the campaigns.
So, the passage of Bill is critical. It will give my administration a headstart. This is in terms of fulfilling the pledges.
As it turned out, the President’s wish did not entirely come to pass.
The MPs amended some of the tax proposals. A number of taxes were reduced. This included the housing levy and the tax on creative content.
I have another reason to demonstrate that Azimio’s claims were ill-advised. Many Kenyans interpreted their narrative as belittling, demeaning and insulting to their intelligence. This is because it was designed to mean they did not use their brains when they elected these MPs.
As we all know, the government does have money of its own. It relies on the revenues it collects from the taxpayers to implement the development projects and programmes.
This brings me to the two questions which with due respect I want to ask Raila. If you could have won the elections and form the government, what miracle would you have performed? What would you have done differently?
I’m sure you could have resorted to taxing Kenyans. This is the same thing that Ruto is doing.
Well, one can understand where Raila is coming from. It is widely believed he is not fighting Dr Ruto for the sake of ‘Wanjiku’.
He is doing this because Ruto defeated him at ballot. He is yet to come to terms with this devastating loss. Besides, the President has totally refused to share the government with him.
Why it never occurred to Raila he can lose the elections? The outgoing President was fully supporting his candidature. The senior government officials took the cue and rallied behind their boss.
For Dr Ruto, he kept reiterating. We know Raila is enjoying the support of ‘Deep state’ and ‘System’. I’m not scared. This is because God and the people of Kenya are on my side.
As Kenya Kwanza, we are ready to meet President Uhuru’s project at the ballot.
To Tinga Raila, I want to tell him. I will beat him hands down, fairly and squarely. This will mark the end of his political career. This would mean him going for permanent retirement. We shall escort him to his rural home in Bondo.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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