By: Hassan Yarrow
NAIROBI—Former Mandera Senator, Billow Kerrow (pictured above) has called on Members of Parliament to reject the Finance Bill (2024), arguing that the issue is not a lack of government revenue but rather the inefficient allocation and use of existing funds.
Kerrow’s remarks comes at the backdrop of a data indicating that Kenyans pay taxes equivalent to the combined revenues of the three East African countries of Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Kenya’s revenue target for the current fiscal year stands at $23 billion, while the total for the three neighbouring countries is $22.5 billion.
“The problem is not revenue collection,” Kerrow stated. “Kenya’s population of 50 million people is significantly smaller than the combined 120 million people in the three EAC countries, yet we are generating comparable tax revenues. This raises serious questions about how our government is managing public finances.”
Despite the country’s $31 billion expenditure budget, Kenya continues to grapple with the highest poverty rate, unemployment rate, cost of living, and cost of doing business in the region.
Kerrow, a political and economic affair analyst, noted that “these challenges are symptomatic of deeper systemic issues that the Finance Bill fails to address”
“Rather than imposing additional tax burdens on the Kenyan people, our lawmakers should be focusing on improving the efficiency and transparency of government spending,” Kerrow said.
He added: “Rejecting the Finance Bill is a necessary first step towards a more prudent and equitable fiscal policy that truly serves the interests of all Kenyans.
The senator’s call comes amid a renewed debate on the country’s economic priorities and the role of the legislative branch in ensuring accountable and responsible governance.
