By Betty Luke
A section of Isiolo youths have called on local MPs to take advantage of the Finance Bill 2024 tomorrow’s Third Reading to ‘redeem’ themselves against the wrath of the electorates.
The residents warned Isiolo North MP Joseph Samal, his South counterpart Mohammed Tupi and Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya against voting for the bill that they termed as punitive.
“We demand that our MPs vote no, failure to which we shall initiate a process to recall them. They should represent us, the electorates, and not the executive because we are the ones who voted them in,” noted Mr Farah Hassan.
The group took issue with MPs Samal and Tupi’s repeated absenteeism in the National Assembly when matters of national importance were being discussed and urged them to avail themselves tomorrow and vote in favour of Mwananchi who is against the controversial Bill.
“You cannot be always available for harambees and community engagements but tell us you are sick when it is time to represent your people. We want to see you all present (tomorrow) and voting no for the punitive bill,” he added.
Human Rights Activist Madina Gollo accused MP Bonaya of ‘hypocrisy’ saying she had failed to fight against a bill that would make sanitary towels unaffordable to women and girls in the county.
“The woman representative accuses citizens of nicknaming her ‘Mama Sanitary pads’ for issuing school girls with the commodities but cannot reject a bill that increases cost of the same. Does she want girls to depend on her for life?” she paused.
While calling on the residents to show up in large numbers for Tuesday’s anti-finance bill 2024 protests, they called on President William Ruto to respect the constitution that he swore to protect when he took office.
Mr Hassan called on the government to instead of over-taxing the already burdened citizens, to cut on spending and direct the resources to more important issues.
“You cannot lie to us that there is no money while you (President Ruto) is spending more than what your predecessor used in foreign travels and other unnecessary things,” he said, adding, “where does an MP who earns about Sh600, 000 get millions from to contribute in harambees.”
They said it was unfortunate that the government was out to curtail the freedom of expression through unlawful arrests of the protesters.
“They are out to intimidate us but we will not relent. We shall fight until justice is served,” noted Abdi Jama.
