For a time now, television interviews having Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna as one of the panellists have always been high-spiritied. Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna (l) took on Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia over the government’s taxation. Once again, the abrasive first-timer in the Senate used his quick facts to offend Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, who diverted the discourse to personal attacks. Sifuna vs Kaguchia on Citizen TV They appeared on Citizen TV for the breakfast show, where they deliberated on the pertinent issues, including the various tax regimes introduced by the government. Whilst Kaguchia defended the various tax measures by the state, Sifuna dissented, arguing that the Kenyan citizenry was already overtaxed. The Mukurweini MP argued that the government needed taxes to run its programmes, including subsidies for farmers. “We can’t continue demonising taxation and the contribution of the public to the structures that would support them and claim to be honest. We are not only dishonest but also extremely hypocritical,” started Kaguchia. In his counter-submission, the senator found it imprudent to serve farmers with subsidies and, at the same time, hit them with withholding tax in the government’s medium-term revenue strategy. “When a farmer receives a benefit, it should remain with them. You are not receiving a benefit so that you can pay higher taxes. The purpose of the subsidy should be to reduce the cost of production so that I remain with extra coins so that I can improve my life. If you give with the left hand and then take with the right one you have not done anything,” said Sifuna. The discussion took a different turn after the lawmakers unleashed diatribes at each other, prompting action from Trevor Ombija, who was moderating the show; he butted in occasionally to calm the situation in the studio. Looking on all the while was Kilifi North MP Owen Baya. Kaguchia was offended when Sifuna referred to his points as little ones. The bone of contention this time was the Sugar Bill, which Sifuna claimed Kaguchia had not considered before voting in the National Assembly. “I am not the one making your pints little. They are already little,” started Sifuna. To which Kaguchi responded; “We are live on show. You can’t make it a point of belittling others. It is good to be respectful of each other. We don’t come here for the insults. Having a big head doesn’t mean you have a big point,” fire Kaguchia. Video; courtesy In February, Sifuna took on his Tana River counterpart, Danson Mungatana, with whom he appeared in another Citizen TV breakfast show. Sifuna vs Mungatana The duo received an invitation to discuss the contentious Housing Levy Disagreement arose when Sifuna asserted that Mungatana accused the opposition of evading debates, referencing his nonattendance at the inaugural State of the Nation address. “The problem we have with our opposition is that they do not stay through the debates. They don’t debate issues. They take the easier way, walk out and go to issue press statements outside parliament buildings instead of engaging,” claimed Mungatana. Sifuna argued that such occasions restrict public involvement to the president exclusively. In response, Mungatana urged Sifuna to adhere to decorum, referencing the Pokomo customary laws. “This is not a public rally for ODM. You cannot come here and start referring to the president’s speech as ‘lies’. Respect bwana. He is older than you. Sifuna should respect people,” said Mungatana. Sifuna responded; “This is TV, not parliament. Kingi is not here to protect you…We were not called here under Pokomo customary laws. Let him take their laws back to Garsen. I was not going to sit and listen to Ruto’s ‘lies’ as an elected official. I did it before Parliament and explained the points that he made that were not factual,”
by Kai Eli
