Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, November 3, opposed the proposal by President William Ruto to maximize tax collection and increase contribution rates by individual Kenyans towards the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Raila who spoke during a presser flanked by Azimio co-principals stated that the increment would be an additional burden to the ordinary citizen.
He said that taxpayers had been affected by the high cost of living due to inflated prices of basic commodities.
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“We are particularly concerned about UDA’s plan to inflict more tax burdens on Kenyans and other pronouncements and promises made in recent days that are unrealistic,” Raila stated.
"Kenyans cannot afford and should not be asked to pay extra taxes for the UDA regime to realize their outlandish and unrealistic promises," he added.
The former Prime Minister stated that Azimio was committed and prepared to honour its campaign promises without increasing taxes, had it won the election.
Raila further rubbished remarks by the Kenya Kwanza administration leaders stating that they inherited a dilapidated economy.
He affirmed that the state of the economy should not be used as the scapegoat for increasing taxes. According to the Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader, the NARC government under the leadership of the late former President Mwai Kibaki turned around Kenya's economy without increasing taxation rates.
Raila also cited the period after the 2008 post-election violence when the Grand Coalition government achieved accelerated growth of the economy without raising taxes.
The statement by Raila came amid intensified calls by President Ruto to enhance Kenya's ability to raise funds for its expenditure as opposed to the usual borrowing craze.
Ruto, while addressing a congregation in Murang'a County on Sunday, October 31, reiterated his proposal to have all citizens at the age of 18 years and above register under the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
“We intend to cut on borrowing but we must increase the revenue we collect to be able to undertake development,” Ruto stated in an interdenominational church service in Murang'a.
