Gachagua, who spoke on Sunday during a church service at Leshuta in Narok County, referred to Saturday's harambee function he attended at St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Kitui County, where Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu said the Bill should be shot down, Citizen Digital reports.
Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said Members of Parliament opposing the contentious Finance Bill, 2023, should not expect any funds for projects such as roads in their constituencies.
Gachagua, who spoke on Sunday during a church service at Leshuta in Narok County, referred to Saturday's harambee function he attended at St Charles Lwanga Secondary School in Kitui County, where Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu said the Bill should be shot down, Citizen Digital reports.
“There is a lot of incitement around this whole Finance Bill issue. I was in Kitui yesterday and their MP spoke about cessation and people were clapping.
“And then soon after he was telling me they need roads, where does he expect the money to build roads to come from?” the Deputy President asked.
According to Gachagua, the government intends to use the bill to raise revenue.
He said legislators should be in full support of the bill if they expect to get development funds.
“Some of you leaders are lying to Kenyans, but know that if your MP is opposed to the Finance Bill, they should not ask for roads,” he said.
At Saturday’s function, Gachagua insisted that the Finance Bill, 2023, must pass as it is, arguing that it did not make sense to call on the government to build schools, repair roads and set up other infrastructure, while at the same time objecting tax increment.
"I am a person who speaks the truth; people must give taxes to finance our capital and recurrent expenditure... there was a call to recruit more teachers, who will pay for this? I can't pay for it with my Ksh1 million salary... that money will be gotten from the citizens," he said.
Gachagua went ahead to take a swipe at opposition politicians from the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition who are against the bill, saying, "Even if you make noise and put sufurias on your head, even if you reject the bill, thinking it won't pass, you don't have the numbers and that's the truth, there's no need."
Photo credit: Citizen Digital