NCCK calls out President Ruto over high taxes, disobedience of court orders

The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of harsh taxation measures contrary to pledges made.

NCCK, in a strongly worded statement, accused President William Ruto’s administration of failing to listen to the people, uphold the rule of law, cut down the rising cost of living, and reduce borrowing by government.

The council called for the setting up of a social and economic taskforce to address the country’s economic challenges. 

Chairpersons of the NCCK County Coordinating Committee and Regional Committees spoke during a gathering at Jumuia Conference and Country Home in Limuru to convey a state of the nation message to the President.

Recent pronouncements by the Executive against the Judiciary ranked among the main areas with the men of God seemingly disturbed by the pattern of calls to ignore court orders.

“The Executive is visibly and progressively tearing down these boundaries, resulting in loss of confidence in the institution of governance. We plead that you bring to an end the public attacks on the Judiciary,” said NCCK Vice Chairman Bishop John Okinda.

NCCK General Secretary Rev. Canon Chris Kinyanjui added: “Your Excellency, this is a very worrying state of affairs, and there is an urgent need for remedial action.”

The clergy appealed to the Head of State to offer a listening ear to concerns over the high cost of living raised by Kenyans, terming the taxation measures introduced by the government as punitive, citing the controversial housing levy and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) as pain points.

“The policies that he is implementing are hurting Kenyans. The policies he is implementing are causing an outcry of Kenyans from all walks of life. The people are saying their payslips have been raided in a way never seen before,” Rev. Canon Kinyanjui said.

The clergy further called for an audit of the country’s national debt, saying money meant to offset Kenya’s debt ends up in private hands.

“We now plead that you hear the cries of Kenyans and institute an independent audit of Kenya’s public debt, which will be a point of justice to Kenyans to know what they are paying for, and facilitate legal action against any persons who have been involved in any irregular process,” added Bishop Okinda.

NCCK called for reforms in the country’s education and health sectors, adding that the State’s privatization plan will subject taxpayers to untold suffering.