Considerations,
Nyeri Diocese Catholic Archbishop, Anthony Muheria, has appealed to Members of Parliament to take into consideration the opinions of Kenyans before passing the Finance Bill 2024.
According to Arch Muheria, the country’s economy is driven by middle- and low-income earners who are currently overtaxed. Additionally, the Archbishop said Kenyans have expressed their displeasure at the new set of taxes that the Bill is proposing to introduce and as their representatives, legislators should consider the impact of their decision on the majority of Kenyans.
“We have appealed to the government to listen to those voices that have been brought in public participation. Those voices of many Kenyans that have said they are overtaxed, the economic situation is unfavourable and they are stretched economically,” said Arch Muheria.
“Our legislators, kindly let us be guided by conscience. Let nothing else influence our decision. Let us listen to the people and forget about the political division and pressures, let us vote and legislate for what best serves more than 80 per cent of this country,” added the archbishop.
The Nyeri Archbishop has also asked the government to put in place measures to curb runaway corruption before demanding for more taxes from Kenyans. According to the Archbishop, the government is currently losing nearly 30 per cent of revenue to corruption and it is only prudent for it to first seal the loopholes before raising additional money from the taxpayers.
Similarly, Arch Muheria has called on the government to account for the revenue it has been collecting adding that Kenyans have a right to question if their money is being put to good use.
“If currently students in our schools are not receiving capitation, the National Health Insurance Fund cannot pay the hospital bills because hospitals are owed huge debts, we must ask whether this money is being used properly,” said Arch Muheria
“Right use of funds must be a consideration. It cannot be a disjointed conversation. We must talk to corruption, we must talk to the reasonable use of the taxes and we must talk to a reasonable demand especially to the middle- and lower-class Kenyan,” he added.
The archbishop who was speaking at Our Lady Consolata Cathedral in Nyeri on Sunday also, lashed out at the political leaders for what he termed as abuse and desecration of places of worship. Citing recent incidents where politician have used the pulpit to settle their political scores, Arch Muheria said it was saddening and embarrassing that politicians are now converting churches into political podiums.
“You have many places to speak, please leave God his space,” said the archbishop.
“When we respect and acknowledge your presence by saying we recognize you, feel satisfied. But kindly the kind of things we have seen are totally unacceptable and we therefore ask the leadership of this country to once more think whether they are going to give God respect or they are going to continue asking for a curse by using his podium to insult and desecrate his place,” he added.