President William Ruto defended his government’s plan to tighten the country’s tax collection program on Saturday, January 21,
Speaking during the ordination and installation of Reverend Henry Juma Odonya as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Kitale at Kitale Showgrounds in Trans-Nzoia County, Ruto insisted that collecting taxes would enable his administration to fund the education program.
Besides funding education, straight from the primary school level to institutions of higher learning, Ruto added that the money collected by the government would be essential in financing the budget.
“Every Kenyan should pay their part of taxes so that the state can have the money to make sure every child of Kenya goes to school without burdening their parents,” the Head of State clarified.
From Left: Chief Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, President William Ruto, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka and other leaders from the Western region during the ordination of Kitale Catholic Church bishop on Saturday, January 21, 2022.
William Ruto
“I have been looking for people to support my tax program. You have all heard from the church that everybody should pay taxes. This will enable us to raise money to run this country,” he added.
The Head of State praised the church for supporting his tax collection program noting religious leaders were helping him sensitize the nation on its significance.
His sentiments came as reports that the government had launched plans to monitor mobile money transactions in the country continued to draw ire from the public.
“As part of the economic turnaround plan, the government will scale up revenue collection efforts to Ksh3.0 trillion in the FY 2023/24 and Ksh4.0 trillion over the medium term.
“Close monitoring of payments from the government to ensure correct taxes are declared and paid will be done accordingly,” the draft 2023 Budget Policy Statement read.
However, Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Awoli opposed Ruto’s plan to monitor mobile money transactions.
Atwoli asked the National Treasury to find an alternative way of raising money to support the government and revive the economy.
Defending his sentiments, Atwoli insisted that the decision would drive Kenyans away from the platforms.
“COTU would like to advise the government of President William Ruto not to hurt Kenyans in their mission to collect enough taxes. The majority of users of mobile banking are hustlers and the poor,” Atwoli maintained.