By Reporter
Hundreds of youths gathered today on Lamu Island to protest the collective decision of their local MPs to support the disputed Finance Bill 2024.
The demonstration was spearheaded by the coordinator of Muslims for Human Rights, Mohammed Skanda, who criticized the MPs for being out of touch with the realities faced by Lamu residents.
“The decision by the Lamu legislators to vote ‘Yes’ for the Finance Bill 2024 shows a clear disconnect from the plight of our people,” Skanda declared during the rally.
He emphasized that the bill, expected to pass in Parliament this week, would significantly raise the prices of essential goods such as bread, fuel, sanitary towels, and diapers.
Last week, Lamu West MP Stanley Muthama, Lamu East MP Ruweida Obo, and Lamu Women Representative Monica Marubu voted in favor of the bill, which saw 204 legislators support it against 115 who opposed it a decision that has sparked widespread discontent among Lamu residents.
Adding to the controversy, Juja MP George Koimburi alleged yesterday that legislators were offered Ksh.2 million to vote in favor of the bill, which successfully moved to the second reading on Thursday.
“Our legislators were compromised to vote against the will of Lamu residents despite the obvious hardships that we face every day,” stated Farida Farrah, an official of the Lamu Women Alliance.
She warned that removing the zero-rating on sanitary pads could lead to increased dropout rates among girls due to “period poverty.”
Nadia Kassim, Farrah’s colleague in the Lamu Women Alliance, echoed these sentiments, condemning the female MPs for failing to represent the interests of Lamu women by supporting the bill.
Jaffar Masoud, coordinator of the Faza Action Group, highlighted the broader implications of the vote.
“A vote against the Finance Bill 2024 is a call for more accountability in public resource management,” he said.
Despite amendments to the bill, Masoud pointed out lingering concerns, especially regarding land rent issues that have been introduced as well as potential increases to fuel levy.
Former Mkomani ward MCA Yahya Ahmed Shee called for a leadership overhaul in the 2027 elections, stating, “The current leadership has failed to express the voice of the Lamu people who oppose further taxation.”
On the sidelines of the protest, grocery vendor Everlyn Mghanga expressed her fears about the bill’s impact on small businesses.
“The potential increase in oil prices will affect the cost of doing business. We are already struggling with the frequent hikes in the fuel levy,” she explained
