Raila Odinga now tells employers not to remit Housing Levy

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leader Raila Odinga now wants all employers to stop remitting the housing levy in compliance with the High Court ruling.

Mr. Odinga, who graced the Azimio Parliamentary Group meeting on Wednesday, said the move by Judges to extend the stay does not make the levy constitutional.

He says the ruling by the three-judge bench on Tuesday was solid and wants all employers to comply by withholding the remittances.

“I am calling on all employers to immediately stop remitting the 1.5 per cent because it is against the Constitution,” he said.

Mr. Odinga faulted the judges' stay order of 45 days saying: “I’m not surprised with Kenya Kwanza...the judges issuing stay does not turn the unconstitutional constitutional...the court made its pronouncement that the matter is unconstitutional, period!”

The opposition chief resolved to back the National Dialogue Committee report on sections that were agreed upon.

“To create the office of the official opposition or prime minister, the people of Kenya must have their say in the way of a referendum,” he stated.

On the cost of living, Mr. Odinga said Azimio will go back to consult Kenyans on the way forward.

“We will seek other ways to press the government to listen to the cries of the people and bring down the cost of living. The other ways will include and not be limited to consultations with the people,” said the former premier.

“We are disappointed. The report is imperfect and unfinished and we shall go back to the people to consult on the cost of living issue.”