Why Azimio MPs walked out during Budget reading

Azimio MPs walked out of the chambers just before Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u stood to read the 2023/2024 budget estimates, and addressed a press briefing.

What preceded was the jeering and taunting of Ndung'u by the lawmakers.

"We have walked out on Prof Njuguna Ndungu in order not to sanitise a flawed process. It is also a protest against the punitive tax regime that seeks to impoverish Kenyans. We have walked out in solidarity with the vast majority of poor Kenyans whose plight has been ignored by Kenya Kwanza in pushing through the Finance Bill,2023," said Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi.

"It is also a protest against the punitive tax regime that seeks to impoverish Kenyans"

Suna East MP Junet Mohammed said the Azimio side had refused to be part of Ruto's first Budget reading as it did not address the concerns of Kenyans.

"Azimio does not support this budget. We do not think this is a budget that is meant for Kenyans. This budget is meant for the Kenya Kwanza government. Until we get a budget that is founded on the needs of Kenyans, we will not participate," he said.

Inside the chambers, Kenya Kwanza allied MPs sat through the hours-long address by Ndung'u, punctuating his speech by stamping their feet and nodding their heads to some of the provisions in the Sh3.6 trillion budget.

The Raila Odinga-led Azimio also promised more action next week when the Finance Bill is expected to be tabled for a third reading and the decisive vote cast by MPs.

On Wednesday, the National Assembly passed the Finance Bill, 2023 report with 176 MPs voting in favour while 81 opposed albeit amid a heated exchange.

This was after Finance and National Planning Committee chair Kimani Kuria tabled the Bill before the House, highlighting President Ruto's tax concessions and his areas of focus.

Azimio opposed the Bill terming it a formula for taxation that will burden the country while the ruling Kenya Kwanza members moved to convince Kenyans that the Bill would ensure economic growth and put an end to financial borrowing.