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The Finance Bill 2023 is upon us and it has invoked national debate. It has drawn ire and vitriol from the opposition, business community, civil society and low-level income Kenyans on one side of the aisle. But the Kenya Kwanza bigwigs, friends of William Ruto and government sympathizers are supporting the bill. They say it will cut Kenya’s reliance on debt to finance the annual budget.
CSOs have been active and resolute in making their voice heard by calling on the National Assembly to reject the bill. The bill has been going through the public participation phase. Different CSOs reiterated that the bill would hurt the most vulnerable Kenyans.
There are organizations in Kenya which exist to fight for economic justice. Here they are:
Tax Justice Network Africa Kenya chapter – They challenge harmful tax policies and practices that on one hand facilitate illicit resource outflows and on the other hand favour the wealthy while aggravating and perpetuating inequality
Transparency International Kenya
Diakonia Kenya -They raise awareness among citizens about their rights and responsibilities and mobilise people to take action and exert influence regarding common interests.
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)– Their focus includes effective management and governance of public resources, equitable distribution of resources and opportunities, contract enforcement, regulatory compliance, address of corruption, and human rights within the business sector.
Centre for Economic Governance (CEG) – They seek to influence change among policy makers, civil society and citizens at the national and local levels for the benefit of the poor and marginalized, particularly with regard to equity in resources mobilization, allocations and spending in the provision of services and development.
International Development Law Organization (IDLO) – A key component of IDLO’s work also relates to advancing gender equality across the country and operationalizing the gender provisions contained in the Constitution.
Oxfam in Kenya – They aim to influence decision-makers to take action on progressive taxation and budgeting processes. It aims to equip citizens and civil society organizations with the knowledge and skills to feed into public finance management processes, including monitoring of spending and the delivery of public services.
Action Against Poverty for Socio-Economic Justice in Kenya – They aim to create a healthy urban and rural community able to live and enjoy an active dignified life, access and utilize the available resources amicably while preventing discrimination against women, people with disabilities, youths and children for enhanced socio-economic justice.
