Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has responded to former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s remarks over the government’s plans to evaluate whether the retired president among others have been paying taxes.
While speaking during a Senators seminar in Mombasa County Gachagua said the government has stopped borrowing instead, the government will pursue all those who have not been paying taxes.
“We are going to develop this country with our own resources because we have stopped borrowing,” he said.
He added, “One of the ways of getting out of the hole we are in, is to collect tax from everybody. It does not matter how back it goes.”
In what was a direct jab at the retired president, Gachagua said people should not be ‘jittery’ instead they should discuss with the government how they will pay their taxes.
“Nobody will be exempt from paying tax in this country. And if you want to be exempted from paying tax, you should buy space on the newspaper and apply to the people of Kenya,” he said.
Gachagua reiterated the sentiments and said the country is collecting only KES 2.2 trillion in revenue which is all going to salaries and offsetting loans.
He said with this grim reality, those who owe the country taxes must pay at whatever cost.
“There are no negotiations because we are collecting KES 2.2 trillion against a budget of KES 3.6 trillion. The KES 2.2 trillion is enough for servicing public debt and paying salaries,” he said.
“We have to borrow money for development. That money we are borrowing for development, people who were in office were lending money to their own banks. So we stop that borrowing and we are saying instead of borrowing, let those who owe Kenya money pay,” Gachagua said.
Uhuru on Tuesday, January 31, responded to attacks by Kenya Kwanza politicians over tax evasion allegations.
While speaking at the late professor George Magoha’s home, the former president disregarded the ruling government’s attempts to go after his family.
“Don’t worry about these people who are making noise, people who have nothing else to do will always make noise. That’s life. We’ll mind our business,” Uhuru stated.
A section of Mt Kenya Senators had demanded a probe into Uhuru’s businesses for the past ten years.
The legislators urged President William Ruto to order an audit into the tax waivers allegedly enjoyed by the former Head of State since ascending into office.
The Senators included Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), James Murango (Kirinyaga), Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri), and Tabitha Mutinda (nominated). The politicians further accused Uhuru of sponsoring Azimio’s rally to sabotage Ruto’s revenue plan.
Join our community and solve the Puzzling fun with our range of crosswords
We are building some fun puzzles to put your problem-solving skills to the test and we want you to have a blast while you're at it!
Share your email and we’ll serve up new puzzles with your morning coffee.
Do you want to help shape the features we prioritize? Take a Survey to help us understand what matters to you most
Begin SurveyAM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.
Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.
This is Daily Politics. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.
Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.
Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.
Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.
Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.
Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.
Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.
Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.
A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.
The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience
A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula
Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.
This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.
This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.
In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.
Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.
