Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu has warned that the budget approved by Parliament will hinder development.
Ngilu said it was not wise for the government to reduce the funds it had allocated to county governments, certain ministries, and state departments.
According to Ngilu, the level of poverty and economic hardship in the country is expected to increase following the budget cuts.
“I don’t think it was wise for the government to cut budgetary allocations because Kenyans are the people who are going to suffer,” Ngilu said.
She addressed the press in Kitui town on Saturday.
Ngilu said the government should have retained the budget and sourced for money from elsewhere to fund it.
She said the Finance Bill 2018 that is now Law will push the common Kenyans to the wall.
Ngilu said the government should have suspended the VAT on fuel and other products.
“Imposing taxes on an economy that is stagnant does not make sense and common Kenyans are going to suffer,” she said.
Ngilu asked Kenyans to brace for tough times ahead as the government seeks to collect more taxes.
MPs approved the proposed budgetary cuts and VAT on fuel on Thursday.
The president has since signed the bill into Law that will see eight percent VAT imposed on fuel and petroleum products.
#hivisasaoriginal