Gachagua's Finance Bill comments were taken out of context, says Passaris

Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris. [File, Standard]

She said the existing frameworks and laws, such as the equalization fund and devolution, ensure even counties opposing the Bill will still have access to necessary funds.

Passaris dismissed the notion that Gachagua's statement implied the exclusion of some regions from the infrastructure budget.

"There is another way to interpret English. It is not our mother tongue, and it can be complex. We need taxes to build roads, but I didn't hear him say explicitly that lack of support for the Finance Bill would mean no infrastructure support for any constituency," Passaris said.

She also broke ranks with her political coalition, Azimio la Umoja, and declared support for the housing levy contained in the controversial Finance Bill 2023.

The Raila Odinga-led Azimio is championing opposition to the Bill that will, among other things, force salaries Kenyans to surrender three per cent of their monthly pay to fund a government-drive housing scheme.

Passaris said she supports certain aspects of Ruto's Finance Bill, including the housing levy she said will help end slums in Nairobi.

During Saturday's function in Kitui, the DP insisted the Finance Bill, 2023, must pass as it is.

He argued it does not make sense to call on the government to build schools, repair roads and set up other infrastructure, while at the same time "refusing to have taxes increased".