Kenya's Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. | Photo: Courtesy.

Kenya’s Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Sunday Members of Parliament opposing the tax-raising Finance Bill 2023, should not expect any funds for development projects in their constituencies.

The country’s parliament is expected to sit this week and consider the contentious Finance Bill (2023) which provides for means of financing the 2023/2024 Budget.

The bill indicates areas where the government intends to raise taxes and also seeks to amend various laws relating to taxes and duties with the objective of increasing government revenues from taxes collected.

Speaking at a church service in Narok County west of the country, Gachagua said lawmakers must not oppose the very bill that will secure funds for their constituencies development.

“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?” he said as reported by Citizen Television.

The Finance Bill (2023) has been faced with strong rejection from some lawmakers and citizens – and has reportedly contributed to opposition-led protests.

Veteran opposition leader and head of Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Raila Odinga previously said the proposed bill is an insult to the people of Kenya.

Odinga said the Finance Bill 2023 will push more Kenyans to poverty unless the tax measures are reviewed before it is passed by Parliament.

But according to DP Gachagua, the government is relying on the bill to raise revenue.

“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.

President William Ruto is also understood to be rallying his Kenya Kwanza MPs to vote for the bill when it is tabled before the House.

“I am waiting to see the MPs who will go against the government’s plan to give their voters employment. We want to see and know those going against this Finance Bill,” Ruto said in the same thanksgiving event according to People Daily.