Nairobi News

President William Ruto has for the first time spoken on the Finance Act 2023 that has been tied up in court.

The President has asked the court to expedite the process of removing the obstacles facing the bill in court so that his government can proceed with its plans.

Speaking at the handing over of title deeds to shareholders of Embakasi Ranching Company in Nairobi County on Tuesday, the President said many projects had been put on hold by the court’s decision to suspend the bill.

“Nataka kortini wamalizane na mambo ya Finance Bill. Wawachane na Finance Bill. Sisi tunataka kuendelea na maendeleo ya taifa yetu la Kenya (I want the court to finalise the Finance Bill case. They should not block the Bill. We want to proceed with the development of our county),” President Ruto said.

His remarks comes a day after Justice Mugure Thande of High Court declined to lift the suspension order on Finance Act 2023 as petitioned by the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof Njuguna Ndung’u.

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The President said some of those opposed to the Act are behind the importation of commodities the Act is seeking to end.

“You cannot disenfranchise the children of Kenya, the young people of Kenya. They deserve the jobs that they are looking for,” President Ruto said.

The President further said the country has been lagging behind when it comes to growth of the economy in all sectors due to poor planning by the previous regime.

“We have not been able to make the difficult decisions to unlock the potential of Kenya because of a few people who want to threaten everybody. I want to assure them that they will meet with me this time,” he said.

On the looming streets protests that Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition has called for on Wednesday, the President said his government will not allow a few individuals who are after their own interest to derail the country.

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“Siwezi kubali kwamba tuko na nchi ambayo watu wachache wanazuia ndio watu wengi wasifaidike. Mimi nataka niwaambie sitarudi nyuma (I’ll not allow a few individuals to prevent the majority from accessing our services. I want to assure you that I will not turn back), ” President Ruto said.

The President said gave an assurance that there will be peace in the country on Wednesday, adding that his administration will not allow anyone to cause chaos as was witnessed last Friday during the Saba Saba protests.

“Last week on Friday, six people lost their lives. I’ll not allow any more Kenyans to lose their lives so that somebody can satisfy his political ambition. That is not going to happen. It is not right for a few people to think that they can disorganize the country and sabotage the Republic of Kenya. That is not politics, that is anarchy and that I’ll not allow,” he said.

The President said the  Opposition is agitated by the government’s plans to create employment opportunities for the youth, which will render them without support for their demonstrations, hence the protests.

“Please, give the Kenyan people and the Kenyan a break… I will not allow you to sabotage that plan because you’ve done it for so many years. This is not the year that you’re going to succeed,” the Head of State said.

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