OUC Press Statement Finance Bill 2024
We, the Okoa Uchumi Campaign partners and citizens from different parts of Kenya dedicated to strengthening public participation and social accountability in the public debt process are deeply concerned by the Government’s recently released estimated budget for the 2024/25 FY and the Finance Bill 2024.
The current trajectory of rising taxes poses a dire threat to citizens’ access to vital services, essential for the full realization of their fundamental rights and freedoms. As staunch advocates for human rights and the interests of marginalised members of society, we express profound concern over the escalating cost of living, compounded by punitive, unattainable, and unpredictable tax policies. It is deeply troubling to witness significant budget reductions averaging 11% in critical sectors such as education, research, social protection, disaster response, and agriculture. Meanwhile, certain Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within the executive are experiencing budget expansions. This imbalance not only jeopardizes the well-being of citizens but also undermines the government’s duty to prioritize essential services that uphold the dignity and prosperity of all individuals.
