Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition MPs walked out of Parliament on Thursday, June 15, in protest of the 2023/24 budget presented by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u.

The MPs, led by Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, said that the budget was punitive and would worsen the cost of living for Kenyans. They also accused the Kenya Kwanza government of ignoring the concerns of the people in favor of their own interests.

"We cannot allow a budget that is going to hurt an overwhelming majority of Kenyans. We know that Rome was not built in a day, but we cannot accept this," Mohamed said.

"Azimio does not believe in this budget. That is why we have walked out. It is not meant for the Kenyan people but for the Kenya Kwanza government. Until we get a budget premised on the Kenyan people, we will not participate," he added.

The MPs also expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that the budget was not subjected to public participation. They said that this was a clear indication that the Kenya Kwanza government was not interested in the views of the people.

"This is a budget that has been prepared in a very secretive manner. It has not been subjected to public participation. This is a clear indication that the Kenya Kwanza government is not interested in the views of the people," Mohamed said.

The walkout by the Azimio MPs came just hours after the Kenya Kwanza government unveiled its flagship economic program, dubbed the Bottom-Up Economic Model. The model is anchored on the principle of devolution and seeks to empower the grassroots by investing in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and housing.

The Kenya Kwanza government has defended the budget, saying that it is necessary to raise revenue to fund its development agenda. The government has also said that the budget will create jobs and reduce the cost of living for Kenyans.

However, the Azimio MPs are not convinced. They say that the budget is a clear attempt by the Kenya Kwanza government to enrich themselves at the expense of the people.

The walkout by the Azimio MPs is likely to further strain relations between the two coalitions ahead of the August 9 general election.