COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli claims that Deputy President William Ruto inflated the original housing tax proposal by three times.
He was speaking during a funeral service for former COTU Secretary General Julius Mulei Velle in Kitui on Wednesday.
Atwoli alleged that he joined initial deliberations about the housing tax as the workers' representative alongside then Labour CS Phyllis Kandie at State House, Nairobi.
"Na tuka-advise government it will not be easy kwa ajili wananchi hawana pesa. President alikuwa anataka 0.5, mtu alipropose 1.5 at that time was Deputy President William Samoei Ruto (We advised the government that it will not be easy to effect (housing levy) because citizens don't have a lot of money. The president wanted to charge 0.5% tax but the person who suggested 1.5% was Deputy President William Samoei Ruto," Atwoli disclosed.
The COTU boss also directed shots at the DP for making reference to a non-existent bible verse.
He explained that the Lord purposefully mislead Ruto on the scriptures because the DP was fighting a just man of God (Atwoli).
The vocal trade unionist also defended his controversial remarks that Ruto would not be on the ballot come 2022.
"Sijasema atakufa. Na ni nani hatakufa? Mulei amekufa, Atwoli atakufa (I didn't say he will die. Everybody will die just as Mulei has died. Even I too will die)," Atwoli told the audience.
Speaking about the COTU boss' 2022 ballot prediction, Ruto quoted the Bible, arguing that Atwoli consulted witchdoctors to tell the future.
“Tumeambiwa na waganga na wachawi ati mtu fulani atakua kwa debe na mtu fulani hatakuwa kwa debe ujue mahali Kenya imefika.
(We have been told by witches and sorcerers that some people will be on the ballot and others will not be on the ballot. Note where we have reached as a country),” he began.
“Lakini hata na wao tunaomba muwaombee wajue ya kwamba Mathayo sita thelathini na tano, watafute kwanza ufalme wa Mungu.
(We are requesting that you pray for them so that they know Mathew Chapter 6 Verse 35 says they must first seek the Kingdom of God),” he stated.
The actual verse that Ruto meant to quote was Mathew Chapter 6 Verse 33 which states, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.
Watch Atwoli narrating how DP Ruto inflated the housing tax below.
