Raila Should Be The Last Person To Attack Ruto Over New Tax Proposals
The Mt Kenya Times 
Opposition leader Raila Odinga
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- Dr Ruto has since flagged out the previous governments’ insatiable appetite of over-borrowing foreign loans, citing this as the main reason why our economy was ailing .
- When you even borrow to pay salaries and sort out other the recurrent expenditures, you are doing more harm than good to our economy.
- He has borrowed very little since he assumed power and in doing this, he is always guided by the projections prepared by his team of economic advisors of how the economy is growing.
- Therefore, he approve borrowing of what the country is able to repay without restraining to an extent of starving other sectors of economy
I have been following the war of words pitting Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto over the latter’s decision to support the Finance Bill 2023 that outlines a raft of new tax measures.
Noting that Raila was one of the presidential candidates in August in 2022 polls, the question is.
If he won the elections, how did he plan to raise money for implementing his lofty pre-election pledges?
I’m sure he would have resorted to crafting similar strategies aiming at enhancing and introducing the new taxes?
Besides, he would have ensured the pitfalls of the previous law have been rectified so that every Kenyan pays tax.
Being weak, Kenyans-Particularly the ruling elite, their cronies and well-connected personalities and business people-took advantage of the glaring loopholes to evade tax.
This would resort in government failing to meet its target and deficits run into billions of shillings.
This crippled the State plan to provide services to Kenyans including the critical ones.
This is what President Ruto’s tax plan seeks to remedy.
The proposals are currently before the parliament and Dr Ruto is hoping the house will approve them.
This is a clear demonstration that he has been walking the talk.
This is in terms of living up to his oath of office. He swore to protect and uphold the Constitution and the laws of land.
Dr Ruto has since flagged out the previous governments’ insatiable appetite of over-borrowing foreign loans, citing this as the main reason why our economy was ailing .
When you even borrow to pay salaries and sort out other the recurrent expenditures, you are doing more harm than good to our economy.
A time has come to live within our means.
The president has lived to his word.
He has borrowed very little since he assumed power and in doing this, he is always guided by the projections prepared by his team of economic advisors of how the economy is growing.
Therefore, he approve borrowing of what the country is able to repay without restraining to an extent of starving other sectors of economy
Before Ruto’s plan bears the fruits, Kenyans have to tighten their belts.
I liken President Ruto to a smart farmer. At first, the farmer spends money to prepare the land, purchase certified seeds and fertilizers and therefore plant the seeds and till the land under cultivation.
When doing this, this farmer is waiting to make a bumper harvest.
Those involved in subsistence farming will produce enough food for their families, dependants and make more money through selling of surplus.
For those specializing in agro-business, they will also make good money.
Nowadays, farming has become the main source of the income.
Back to Raila, we recall that after 2017 polls he once again fought his way and joined the government of President Uhuru Kenyatta.
He consequently asserted his authority and became a core-principal of the ‘handshake government’.
Many recall it was during this time that the current Finance Bill (Majorly, it is only the year has changed to 2023) was drafted and introduced in parliament.
It, however, met stiff resistance in parliament and eventually it was shoot down.
This is because it had been introduced at a time when food, fuel and electricity subsidy programme had been put in place.
The increase of the Fuel VAT from 8 percent to 16 percent was one of its key highlights.
Today, Raila is leading a strong opposition against the Bill.
He accuses President Ruto of taking Kenyans for a ride. How? Does he expect Kenyans to trust him? The answer is a Big No for those well enlightened and informed.
However, there are those who will follow him and after taking advantage of thier ignorant and lack of civil awareness to create a false impression that he could have done better if they elected him President.
One of the tricks that Raila used during the campaign was. If he wins, he would allocate billions of shillings to support vulnerable and poor families. Each will get Sh6,000 per month.
Where did he hope to get the money? What miracle would he have performed?
We recall the cost of living was very high when he served as a co-principal in Uhuru’s government.
The cost of a 2kg packet of maize flour (Unga) had gone up to Sh230.
The fuel prices and electricity were also all-time high.
This informs my long held view. Raila should be the last person to fault President Ruto for supporting the new taxes.
Ruto is looking forward to stabilize and return our economy back on track. Let us support him.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- The Problem of Antimicrobial Resistance In Pneumonia Treatment And Its Analysis
- Democrats bet on diversity: The radical reshaping of America’s 2028 primary map
- The quiet businesses carrying Kenya’s economy
- Diaspora Times Global Aug 15 – Aug 21, 2026
- Arteta signals commitment to Arsenal as new contract looms
About the Author
