Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja has praised the Finance Bill 2024, saying it was the best finance bill Kenya has ever seen.
Speaking to the Senate Committee on July 10, 2024, she explained that many young people, especially Gen Zs, were protesting against the bill because of false information they saw online.
She argued that these protests were based on outdated proposals that had already been removed from the bill. Senator Karanja pointed out that the protesting youths were mainly focused on controversial details they had read on social media.
She said that some Gen Zs did not realize that certain tax proposals, such as those on bread and sanitary towels, had already been withdrawn.
“Finance Bill 2024 was the best Finance Bill that we'll ever see,” she said. “But Gen Zs did not know that some proposals had been removed from the Finance Bill; they knew what was on social media.”
Karanja stressed the importance of having accurate information when discussing policies. She noted that the misinformation spread online had led to unnecessary protests.
She emphasized that leaders need to be very careful with their proposals to avoid angering the public. “Leaders must be cautious with their future proposals to avoid provoking Kenyans,” she said.
Senator Karanja also gave some advice to President William Ruto. She referenced Ruto's recent complaint that his advisors had not provided proper guidance on the Finance Bill 2024. Karanja suggested that Ruto should choose his advisors carefully to avoid similar issues in the future.
She advised that Ruto should select competent individuals across all sectors to provide him with sound guidance. “He has to ensure that he picks the right people, be it in communication or Cabinet Secretaries,” she said. “He should pick people with the capacity.
They'll continue letting him down, and people will keep blaming the Kenya Kwanza government while it is the team that has been put there that is failing us.”
Senator Karanja also suggested that Ruto should run the government like a business. She recommended that he assign clear job descriptions and key performance indicators (KPIs) to his appointees.
According to her, any leader who fails to meet these standards should be dismissed. This, she argued, would ensure that the government functions efficiently and effectively.
“He should govern Kenya with a business-like approach,” Karanja said. “Assign clear job descriptions and KPIs to appointees, with dismissal as a consequence for failing to meet these standards.”
Earlier, President Ruto had withdrawn the Finance Bill 2024 following nationwide protests. Thousands of youths took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the bill.
Ruto explained that he decided to withdraw the bill because Kenyans were demanding more concessions than what the MPs had proposed. This move was seen as a response to the widespread opposition to the bill.
The withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 highlighted the need for competent advisors in the government. Karanja's remarks about the importance of choosing the right advisors echoed Ruto’s earlier complaints.
By selecting advisors who can provide sound guidance, Ruto can avoid similar issues in the future and ensure that the government makes decisions that benefit the country.
The events surrounding the Finance Bill 2024 have brought to light the significant role of accurate information and competent advisory in governance.
Misinformation can lead to unnecessary protests and unrest, while good advice can help in making informed decisions that benefit the country. As Kenya moves forward, it will be crucial for the government to focus on these aspects to ensure smooth governance and public trust.
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