Kenya’s President William Ruto has fired salvos at those critiquing his new tax measures.
Speaking at Ol Jorok in Nyandarua County on Thursday, January 11, the Head of State said he was not elected to be praised.
The president admitted that more than 70 percent of the country’s revenue was being used to service foreign debts leaving him with only 30 percent to run the government.
As such, Ruto said he has been forced to make difficult decisions including raising taxes.
He said the decision to raise taxes is the most difficult that no one would choose adding that it was the only way to prosperity as no single country has ever been developed using debts.
The president however assured his critics that the taxes being raised would soon yield results that will see those criticizing him clap for him.
“No one should lie to you that you can build a country using debts. We have to build our resources. But because it is a difficult decision, nobody wants to make it,
“We have to change our country and I am telling you we are going to change Kenya.Hawa watu wanatupigia makele sahi ndio watatupigia makofi zaidi hapo mbele (those hurling insults at us will be the ones applauding us soon),” the president said.
Among those who have been pushing President William Ruto to lower taxes and bring down the cost of living include mainly the opposition led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Narc Kenya Party leader Martha Karua.
Others who have been calling out the Kenya Kwanza administration for increasing taxes include Jeremiah Kioni, Eugine Wamalwa, and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna among others.
