Catholic bishops have urged President William Ruto to repeal the Finance Act 2023 and come up with new measures that will achieve his goals in the current economic context. ‘
Addressing the media on Wednesday, July 19, the religious leaders stated that the Act will create an unsustainable burden on already struggling Kenyans.
“We realize that many Kenyans are struggling to afford essential goods and services to secure stable employment or are facing financial hardships that affect education and healthcare access. Within this background, the recently enacted Finance Act 2023 places an unsustainable burden on already distressed citizens especially those within the low-income bracket.
"We, therefore, ask the President to repeal the Finance Act 2023 and institute a process that will seek to achieve the same goals within the current economic context,” they said in a statement.
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The bishops at the same time asked Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga to consider the resumption of bi-partisan talks with the government but in a different context.
They said the negotiations should involve religious leaders, eminent people, and bodies in the country.
"We appeal to President William Ruto and the right honorable Raila Odinga to give dialogue a chance. We demand that the failed bipartisan talks should be resumed in a different context that brings on board the religious leaders and some eminent persons and bodies.
“We believe that there is no problem however difficult that cannot be resolved through dialogue. We must at all costs avoid the loss of life no further blood should be shed in Kenya,” the bishops added.
