Rigathi Gacagua says big firms like Safaricom should be sold, and the money given to small firms

Kenya Kwanza alliance presidential running mate Rigathi Gachagua has sensationally suggested that big corporate companies such as Safaricom should be sold and proceeds given to smaller firms.

Speaking on Inooro TV on Tuesday, May 24, Rigathi opined that small businesses stand a better chance of paying more taxes than few corporate entities.

“Why have major tax-paying companies like Safaricom and KQ (Kenya airways)? Just sell them and give the money to small businesses.

“Their impact will be thirty times more than from just one big corporate. So we are not chasing big corporates. We are saying that even small and medium investors be taken care of.” Gachagua sent on.

William Ruto’s 2022 running mate was trying to explain the bottom-up economic model where Kenya Kwanza alliance has promised to implement if they secure victory in August.

William Ruto's running mate Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua now says the UDA goverment will close down the biggest multi-national company Safaricom since it is only benefitting a few people.Rigathi forgets the millions and millions of Kenyans operating M-Pesa shops across the country.. pic.twitter.com/5SaV0I89T2

— George Sankuli (@GSankuli) May 24, 2022

Sentiments by the Kenya Kwanza alliance presidential running mate have stirred a lot of debate on social media as many questions the wisdom behind his statement.

Dikembe Disembe, a random Twitter user wondered if the DP Ruto’s running mate understands the role that big corporate organizations play in Kenya’s economy.
“Rigathi says UDA/KK government will kill Safaricom and give the money to people to start small businesses. Doesn’t understand the critical role big taxpayers like Safaricom play in the economy?” Dikembe posed.

Another social media user, Sultan Hassan said, “Rigathi has refused to think. If you dismantle these big organizations like Safaricom, do you know how many jobs will be lost? Will we be building the nation or f**ing it sideways?”

“Each time Ruto’s running mate-Rigathi Gachagua opens his mouth votes evaporate. Now he promises to kill Safaricom and give the money to small people as handouts if they ascend to power.” Timothy Juma, another Twitter user said.

Each time Ruto's runningmate-Rigathi Gachagua opens his mouth votes evaporates. Now he promises to kill Safaricom and give the money to small people as handouts if they ascend to power.

— Timothy Almasa Juma (@AlmasaTim) May 24, 2022

Kenya Kwanza alliance, led by Deputy President William Ruto has been campaigning on the platform of uplifting the living standards of the less privileged in the society.

In his various public rallies, the 2022 presidential front runner has been quoted promising to channel Ksh 50 billion annually towards supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) if he becomes President in this year’s General Election.