By next year Kenyans will ask President Ruto to tax them more, MP Geoffrey Ruku says

According to Ruku, by the next budget reading Kenyans will be praising President William Ruto for the increased tax rates his government has imposed in the Finance Act 2023, since it will have "revolutionized the economy".

Speaking on Citizen TV's Daybreak Show on Thursday, Ruku said that the current tiff between the government and the opposition over the Finance Act will be resolved only if the proposals made by the state will be allowed time to yield fruit.

"It's a gradual process. This government has been in power for less than 9 months at the moment. The budget we read this month is the first budget for this government. Let's see how its implementation is going to be and we judge the government by July next year," he said.

"What I can tell Kenyans is by next year July if these shenanigans come to an end, we will be telling William Ruto please tax us more because we have seen what these taxes are doing to Kenyans," he added.

"Kenyans will be telling the government of William Ruto we have seen what you have done with our taxes, you have revolutionalized our economy, if this is [what] you are doing with our taxes please tax us more."

The legislator further opined that the government will not be lenient on anyone found embezzling the taxpayer's money, arguing that crippling the nation's growth cannot be condoned. 

"Anyone in government who will misuse the taxpayer's money in Ruto's government, that person will be hanged on the tallest tree at Uhuru Park," he said.

The proposals made in the Act have been met with stiff contention from members of the public, many arguing that the government cannot afford to impose high taxation amid a struggling economy.

Meanwhile, the High Court has extended the conservatory orders suspending the implementation of the Finance Act 2023 which brought into effect the new all-time high fuel prices.

This after petitions filed by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and one Peter Agoro, argued that the bill was founded on an illegality and thereby infringes and violates the Constitution. 

If eventually granted a greenlight, Kenyans will have to dig deeper into their pockets to fund the government's first budget.

The Act sailed through Parliament after a third reading by Kuria Kimani, chairman of the National Assembly Finance and National Planning Committee.

There were 87 proposed amendments to the Act, some of which were approved after a late-night debate by the National Assembly.

Among the most important proposals approved was a 16% value-added tax on gasoline, up from 8%, which has already been effected.

Except for Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, at least 184 MPs—mostly from Kenya Kwanza—supported the bill, while 88 MPs—mostly from Azimio—opposed the amendment.