https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V5UBJMtrgk:4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PW1qcotg00:4
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V5UBJMtrgk:4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PW1qcotg00:4
[MEDIA=twitter]1658842587791335427[/MEDIA] [MEDIA=twitter]1658801044279767040[/MEDIA]
if it is not voluntary, it is a tax GTHOH.
Let us feed the new rulers and dynasty the kalenjins . Let’s feed them bila kusumbua na kupayuka payuka . B4 elections ilikua ruto liwe riwalo . Now we are at liwalo , unaskia @ranny , @Motokubwa ? Let’s enjoy the liwaro coz lishakuwa:D
Lipeni ushuru bila kunungunika
[SIZE=7]President William Ruto, the king of doublespeak[/SIZE]
Monday, May 22, 2023
By Macharia Gaitho
Former Managing Editor, Special Projects
Daily Nation
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President Ruto: Nothing stops you from contributing to this fund, because it is not a tax.
Ayub Abdi: You say it is not a tax?
Ruto: It is not a tax.
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Abdi: What is it?
Ruto: It is a contribution you are making because it is not tax, this is not a tax, because, it is not a tax. It is your money.
Abdi: It is legally binding?
Ruto: Of course.
Abdi: It is not a tax, you said?
Ruto: It is not a tax
Abdi: Why should I contribute? And if I don’t want?
Ruto: That’s what the law says. It is a contribution you are making, because, it is not a tax.
Abdi: Why are you passing it?
Ruto: Because it is not a tax.
Abdi: Why would I make a contribution for others to succeed? It’s your business as a government. As Head of State, you have the responsibility, you have the mandate.
Ruto: And that’s why the Constitution gives me the power to tax.
Abdi: You are saying it’s not a tax!
Ruto: That’s why the Constitution gives me the power to tax. It is not a tax.
Abdi: There’s a Bill coming before Parliament. If it is passed, why would I have to contribute?
Ruto: Because it is not a tax.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PW1qcotg00:4
[SIZE=6]RELATED[/SIZE]
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[li][URL=‘https://nation.africa/kenya/news/politics/president-ruto-kept-busy-fighting-fires-from-one-emergency-to-next-4238762’][SIZE=5]Inside Ruto’s many battles[/SIZE][/li]Politics May 18
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[li][URL=‘https://nation.africa/kenya/news/petrol-tax-housing-levy-expose-doublespeak-by-ruto-and-his-allies-4233918’][SIZE=5]Ruto and allies’ big U-turn in high taxes[/SIZE][/li]News May 14
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A video clip on the above exchange between President William Ruto and Ayub Abdi of Citizen TV swiftly went viral on the Internet, becoming one of the main talking points as the President faced off against six journalists in the second of his live interviews from State House.
Usually calm and self-assured in front of TV cameras, Ruto this time seemed to have lost his way, struggling to justify the controversial housing scheme that proposes to dock three per cent from the salaries of all workers, with employers contributing an equal amount.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGD6rq6dHGg
The compulsory scheme, which will apply to all, even those not interested in acquiring government-built houses, is being pushed through despite stiff opposition from both workers, already reeling under heavy taxation, and employers, who see it hitting their bottom lines.
Ruto laboured to explain, correctly, that the salary deduction was indeed not a tax, but merely a contribution just like the National Social Security Fund, and that the money was not going to boost the exchequer but towards a social housing programme. Contributors would benefit from the opportunity to purchase affordable houses, but if not interested would eventually get their money back, with interest.
He also added a patriotic element, suggesting that those with means have an obligation to contribute to a programme that benefits those in need of affordable housing, thereby helping people move up from slums to decent accommodation.
Ruto: Civil servants to pay 3 per cent of income to the Housing Fund
And finally, he added another justification that the programme would generate massive employment, thus pulling youth out of poverty. He claimed that Asian countries like Malaysia grew their economies and addressed unemployment through labour-intensive construction projects.He was not convincing, and it is clear that the President might be putting his neck on the block for what is an extremely hard sell.
While it is true that the contribution is not a tax, not many are bothered by the distinction because it does hit their payslips. The promise of affordable housing might not be a priority for workers buffeted from all sides by what is generally seen as the Kenya Kwanza administration’s insatiable appetite for new and increased taxes at a time everyone is feeling the pinch of a depressed economy.
It does not help that details on the proposed affordable housing project are extremely hazy in terms of project timelines, costs and payment terms, and intended beneficiaries considering the fact that those not in salaried employment will not be contributing.
The government also seems to be operating on the assumption that the menace of urban slums will be eradicated by the provision of low-cost housing, while the reality might be that the problem is not a housing deficit, but unemployment and low earning.
Kenya, in fact, might provide many case studies of projects that are built supposedly to benefit slum dwellers, but turn out unaffordable for the presumed target, being taken up by the middle class instead.
The housing programme is just one of the minefields Ruto has to navigate at a period he is under pressure from all sides on proposed taxation measures that to many amount to trying to squeeze blood from a rock.
The President appeared at the interview well primed to face tough questions from Abdi and the other five Nancy Okware of KBC, Eric Munene of TV 47, Lofty Matambo of NTV, Daniel Kiptoo of K24 and moderator Eric Latiff of KTN/Spice FM.
Other than the ‘it is not a tax’ assertion coming out like a stuck record, he did demonstrate that he was very well prepared, having anticipated all the tough questions to be faced and probably having rehearsed his responses.
He came out very knowledgeable on the finer details of his development priorities and economic recovery strategy, reeling out an amazing array of facts and figures without reference to any notes.
He displayed almost missionary zeal and a firm conviction that he was on the right path despite the naysayers, and was aware that he must take responsibility for politically risky measures that will inflict pain on Kenyans but are necessary if the country is to avoid looming economic collapse.
These include measures such as removing subsidies on fuel and maize flour, cutting government spending and even resisting further borrowing, to the extent that public service salaries were delayed last month for the first time in history. But the interview also showed a Ruto who was quite liberal with double-speak as well as unapologetic shifting of positions and policy U-turns.
On the economic black hole inherited from the Uhuru Kenyatta regime, the President started off by asserting that he would not find excuses in blaming his predecessor, a pointed reference to the Kenya Kwanza talking points frequently enunciated by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
But the moment he was cornered on his contentious taxation proposals at variance with his campaign pledges, he fell back to emphasising the dire financial situation he found on assuming office.
Read: Kenyans to brace for tougher times as Ruto bids to increase tax on fuel
Also read: Shrinking pay slip: A Kenyan worker’s nightmare amid rising taxes
From his responses, one would be forgiven for assuming that Ruto was the outsider who had no idea of the size of the government’s external and domestic debt and the parlous state of government finances.
A stranger watching the interview would have had no clue that he was the Deputy President of two terms who toured the country taking credit for the very projects responsible for ballooning debt.
The only time he referred to his time in the DP’s mansion was in the claim that in the later stages of the Jubilee Party administration’s term, his office was denied funding and he had to dip into his own pocket to fuel official cars and pay staff allowances. None of the interviewers followed with a question on
whether he might have exhausted the budget allocation by going out on the campaign trail.
He also displayed a clear contradiction in supporting reduced taxation for aircraft and spare parts, arguing that Kenya’s place as a repair and service hub for the entire region was in danger of being lost to neighbouring countries unless incentives were offered to the industry. At the same time, however, he supported increased taxation on fuel on the basis that differential tax regimes were units and open to abuse. He also supported the contentious doubling on VAT of petrol on the grounds that the enhanced revenue would be critical to supporting road development projects that are presently in danger of stalling due to lack of funds.
Ruto further addressed issues around government appointments tilted towards Kenya Kwanza faithful and regions or ethnic groups that voted for him.
He insisted that meritocracy rather than political considerations was the key factor.
He gave the example of the new Chief of Defence Forces, Gen Francis Ogolla, who got the nod to succeed Gen Robert Kibochi despite the fact that he was amongst the National Advisory Security Committee members who allegedly tried to overturn his election victory by putting pressure on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission at the tail end of the electoral process last August.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ9NZXkFEis
President Ruto’s speech during General Ogolla’s swearing-in as KDF chief
Gen Ogolla is increasingly being held up as a poster boy for Kenya Kwanza inclusiveness, with Gachagua also pointing out on more than one occasion that he got the top military job despite hailing from opposition leader Raila Odinga’s ethnic bastion.
And from there, a related question that Ruto tried very hard to parry was on Gachagua’s oft-repeated contention that the Kenya Kwanza administration is a ‘shareholder’ government where jobs and other dividends will be reserved for those (presumably in reference to ethnic origin, who voted for the winning coalition).
That was the one question across nearly three hours of the interview that Ruto tried hard to deflect, refusing to say whether or not that was the party position. He suggested instead that the question be posed to the Deputy President who, he said, was more than capable of speaking for himself.
And that perfectly illustrated the difficulties Ruto faces with the discordant messaging that is in many ways becoming the hallmark of his administration, despite a surfeit of communication directors, spokesmen and specialists at State House and every government ministry.
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Kwa nini tugege tuko na shida ya kulipa ushuru. Mnataka serikali ya hustler mwenzenu ianguke? Housing levy kama itakupea nyumba and it is in your name kelele ni ya nini. Watu waache kubwekabweka.
Ruto, on Friday, May 26, acknowledged the nickname Zakayo, coined by Kenyans on Twitter (KOT), in an uproar on proposed tax hikes.
Zakayo is a Swahili name for the shrewd Biblical Tax Collector -Zacchaeus - who pledged to give back four times the amount he had overcharged taxpayers.
Ruto made reference to the nickname while filing his returns at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) offices at Time Towers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKE66fIeLLM
“Since I have already been referred to as Zakayo in some areas, maybe, we can have a tax collectors’ day,” Ruto said when responding to suggestions that the government should create a tax collectors’ day - similar to that of taxpayers’ day.
“We usually have the taxpayers’ day in October. My suggestion is that we also have a tax collectors’ day. Probably at State House?” one of the delegates suggested.
Online users liked the President to Zacchaeus, who climbed the sycamore tree to see Jesus.
Notably, the name went viral after the Finance Bill 2023 was taken to Kenyans for public participation amid uproar from taxpayers.
“If they target Baba (Raila Odinga), they should be ready to terminate us all. We will not relent until Zakayo climbs down and the price of unga is lowered,” Azimio La Umoja co-principal and Narc Kenya party leader, Martha Karua stated during a protest rally in Nairobi in March 2023.
“Even Zacchaeus did not tax exorbitantly. Leave Mama Ngina Kenyatta and her son President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta, alone,” Azimio La Umoja party leader, Raila Odinga, added.
Ruto was at Time Towers to file his annual returns ahead of the June 2023 timeline. At the event, he reiterated the importance of expanding the tax base to ease pressure on Kenyans.
He also underlined that taxes were necessary to help the government attain its development agenda.
Nonetheless, he maintained that he would ensure that public officers spend the money collected with transparency and accountability.
President William Ruto on Sunday, May 28, pleaded with Busia Senator and activist Okiya Omtatah to drop his planned petition against the proposed Finance Bill 2023.
Speaking during a church service in Busia County, Ruto stated that his intentions were to help the people of Kenya and provide better opportunities for them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsT3351fXgI:4
“People of Busia, please speak to Omtatah to tone down on the matters of court. He has said that he is my friend and that is the truth,” Ruto pleaded.
Further, he questioned why the activist did not take the opposition leaders to court over demonstrations, and the destruction of the property of the people of Kenya matters that he noted were more disruptive to the government’s agenda to build the nation.
“The good thing about him is that he has not planned to destroy our businesses. At least he has not planned any demonstrations. There are others who are threatening me that if I don’t do what they want they will go to the streets.
“Let me ask you Okiya, those who were planning handshakes, why did not take them to court? Why do you want to take me to court and I only mean well for the people? You should have taken the other team to court because they are the ones disrupting our work,” he added.
The Senator had told the crowd earlier that Ruto had surrounded himself with individuals who were misleading him on matters concerning the proposed Finance Bill 2023.
The activist-cum-Senator stated that he had read the bill and pleaded with the president to amend it or he would move to court.
He noted that he had prepared a petition and was only waiting to address it with the President first before making the move as a sigh of respect for their friendship.
"You are my friend President Ruto but the constitution is my greater friend and the Finance bill goes against about six laws in the constitution. I am asking you to take another look at the Bill so that if we can, we avoid fighting in court. It is not okay for friends to fight.
“For example this housing levy, I was the one who had earlier petitioned it in court until it was removed, do you want me to fight it again, please make it easier to work with you Mr President. it was. I have already prepared a petition to go to court. But when I heard you were coming to Busia I did not file it last week,” Omtatah stated.
Local interviewers can’t confuse Ruto. He has been giving speeches and interviews since 1992 when they were still in diapers. Abdi aliuliza maswali hadi akajichanganya mwenyewe. I bet he went to rewatch his own interview with a pen and notebook to untangle his mind.
Citizen TV journalist Ayub Abdikadir pinned down Tigania West Member of Parliament Dr John Mutunga during a heated debate on the controversial housing fund on Tuesday, May 30.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m35AvaDwjJg:30
In a panel discussion with Azimio Secretary Fred Okang’o, Senator Joe Nyutu, and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, Mutunga fumbled while answering questions posed by the journalist and the other guests leading to a heated and inaudible debate.
As the interview progressed, Mutunga stated that all the members of Kenyan Kwanza had clearly understood all matters pertaining to the proposed 3 percent housing levy adding that they were completely in support.
According to him, more than 10 investors had already shown interest in the program, a move that would offer great opportunities for Kenyans including employment.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah on Friday, June 2, revealed that President William Ruto and his team were banking on simplifying proposals in the Finance Bill 2023 to win over MPs planning to oppose it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cK71BY_fYyU
Addressing the press in Nairobi, the MP noted that a number of his colleagues had not read the document and were intentionally misleading the public with misinterpreted facts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyV4_cht0mA
“As the people’s representatives, we have an obligation to ensure that we strike a balance between the expenditure and the revenue side of the government and we cannot consider that if we do not do it soberly,” he added.
Ichung’wah’s affirmation came hours after Ruto began the implementation of the strategy during a meeting with governors and manufacturers in the country.
Speaking during a meeting in Nairobi, the President called on governors - drawn for both factions to rally behind the Finance Bill that has caused heated debate in the political sphere.
In particular, he noted that the tax proposals in the Finance Bill were aimed at creating job opportunities for thousands of Kenyans who were yet to get employed.
The “Serikali ni yetu” Battalion ndie hawa wananunua kamba wajinyonge…https://static.xx.fbcdn.net/images/emoji.php/v9/t51/1/16/1f603.png