Raila Odinga criticizes President Ruto’s new tax proposals
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga has declared that he will encourage Kenyans not to accept the tax reforms proposed by President William Ruto should there be no public participation on the same.
Raila said Kenyans were already being taxed heavily and blamed the government for pushing tax refroms before delivering his campaign promises to the citizens.
The former prime minister added that the president should not treat differently regions that did not support him in a significant way.
“Development must be everywhere whether they like it or not. I can advise you not to pay taxes if they won’t do it,” Raila said during the burial of the mother to Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.
President William Ruto has made suggestions about tax reform measures that could include including every Kenyan over the age of 18 in the tax bracket.
Ruto has since directed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to establish a strong and transparent system that will allow the country to transition from overtaxing trade to undertaxing wealth.
The president stated during Taxpayers Day at the KICC that his administration’s tax mobilization philosophy will be heirarchical, taxing wealth, consumption, income, and trade.
“I will lead from the front by paying my taxes. Every company associated with me will also pay its taxes. It will be a fair tax regime,” Ruto said.
According to the president, the country’s GDP increased to KES 12 billion, but KRA only collected 14% of that. He stated that he expects KRA to raise KES 3 trillion by next year and to more than double that amount in the next five years.
The president stated that the current state of the public finances was unsatisfactory and pledged his full support for the KRA’s role and evolution toward optimal tax administration.
Raila was accompanied by co-leader Kalonzo Musyoka.