Catholic bishops want MPs to Review Finance Bill 2024

The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), citing the Finance Bill of 2024 as repressive, has demanded a reconsideration of the law.

The bishops contend that Kenyans would endure immense pain if the law is approved in its current form.

They expressed disapproval of some tax methods and expressed concerns about the extent of corruption in the nation, even if they acknowledged the government's efforts to increase taxes through various policies.

"We note that tackling corruption and stopping the waste of existing resources would yield adequate income to sustain vital services, consequently lessening the strain on Kenyans who are already grappling with a high cost of living," that was a partial statement signed by General Secretary James Waweru.

The bishops stated that the government must guarantee that people have access to the necessities of life by enacting laws that advance the welfare of the whole country.

They have attacked the government in particular, claiming that taxes on necessities like bread will hurt the most vulnerable members of society.

"We reject any law that adversely affects the poor and impoverished, in keeping with the spirit of the Catholic Church's social teaching, which emphasizes a preferential option for the poor."

They have noted that although the 2.5 percent motor vehicle tax will increase revenue and improve road infrastructure, Kenyans will bear the brunt of higher transportation costs.

They said that the SMEs' capacity to make investments in marketing, employee training, and equipment upgrades will be impacted by the new tax's increased operational costs.

Meanwhile, the clergy asserted that the government's efforts to promote digital and creative economies will be undermined by the environmental levy on products that hurt the environment, such as cell phones, diapers, microphones, and plastic bags.

The bishops expressed concern about the proposed increase in excise duty on financial transactions, pointing out that lower-income clients would be disproportionately affected and compelled to use cash transactions and unofficial money storage techniques.

This was in response to its plea for MPs to change the controversial sections of the Finance Bill in response to the people's outcry.

The bishops proposed that the government implement a predictable tax system that promotes economic growth as a remedy, as opposed to one that burdens the weak and impoverished and stifles the private sector.