Housing levy will be a deal breaker in bipartisan talks, Senator Cheruiyot tells Azimio

Speaking on Sunday in a church service in Bomet, attended by President William Ruto, Cheruiyot hinted that Azimio wants the Housing Levy imposed on Kenyans to be removed, something that Kenya Kwanza is not willing to do. 

"One policy that these people want us to drop is the housing levy... In Kericho and Bomet alone, over 160k youth will be employed through the housing levy programme, yet someone wants us to drop this policy.  Because they want to play politics that won't help the country," Cheruiyot said.

He added: "Let me announce to the country from here in Bomet, the same way they are telling us that there are deal breakers, for us the housing levy is a deal breaker. We will not accept."

The senator went on to accuse ODM leader Raila Odinga of being part of the alleged mess that President Uhuru Kenyatta left the country in. 

Azimio, through its bipartisan talks leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has threatened to withdraw if, among others, the cost of living is not factored in the talks by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO).

The Azimio team is led by Kalonzo, Opiyo Wandayi, Eugene Wamalwa, Okong'o Omogeni and Amina Mnyazi.

Kenya Kwanza is led by Kimani Ichungwah, Aaron Cheruiyot, Governor Cecily Mbarire, Hassan Omar and Catherine Wambilianga.

After months of talks and hearing submissions from different stakeholders, the committee has retreated to report writing.