Mt Kenya Senators Pressure Ruto to Audit Uhuru

A photo collage of President Willliam Ruto and former president Uhuru Kenyatta
A photo collage of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto during different state addresses.
File

Mt Kenya Senators demanded a probe into former President Uhuru Kenyatta's businesses for the last 10 years.

On Monday, January 31, the lawmakers urged President William Ruto to order an audit into the tax waivers allegedly enjoyed by the former Head of State since ascending into office.

Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), James Murango (Kirinyaga), Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri) and Tabitha Mutinda (nominated) further accused Uhuru of sponsoring Azimio's rally to sabotage Ruto's revenue plan.

"He was given waivers for the taxes for the last ten years. We are doing audit report and we will place into the floor of the house and he must pay that," Nyeri senator Wamatinga stated.

From left: Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), James Murango (Kirinyaga) and Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri) speaking on Monday January 30,2023.
From left: Senators John Methu (Nyandarua), James Murango (Kirinyaga) and Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri) speaking on Monday, January 30, 2023.
NMG

Besides auditing his wealth, Kirinyaga's Murango called on county governments to establish whether the former President dully paid his land rates

"Kayole residents are remitting their land rates but the rich are not paying," he claimed.

Their sentiments echoed Ruto's warning on tax evaders and sponsors of Azimio rallies. Speaking in Mombasa on Monday, January 30, Ruto maintained that his administration would not spare any persons from meeting their tax obligations.

The President spoke in Mombasa during the National Assembly Post-Election Seminar.

"We cannot operate in a space where those in power exempt themselves from paying tax by using all instruments.

"I want to tell those who used to exempt themselves from paying tax that their day is up even if they sponsor demonstrations,” the President warned.

While responding to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's claims of burdening Kenyans with tax policies, Ruto maintained that all the measures would be anchored in the law.

“I want to assure Kenyans that there will be no additional taxes except those agreed by law," he stated.

However, the Estate Duty Act Cap 483 of 1963 exempted Uhuru's family and that of late former President Daniel Moi from paying estate inheritance tax.

A collage pf Azimio party leader Raila Odinga, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto.jpg
A collage of Azimio party leader Raila Odinga, former President Uhuru Kenyatta and President William Ruto.

The law gave the two families immunity against meeting the tax obligations from the inherited property.

 The Estate Duty Act Cap 483 of 1963, stipulates that whenever any person dies after the commencement of this Act, a tax known as estate duty shall, save as is hereinafter provided, be levied and paid on;

(a) all property of which the deceased was at the time of his death competent to dispose of;

(b) all property in which the deceased or any other person had an interest ceasing upon the death of the deceased;

However, section 7(3) states that; "this section shall not apply to His Excellency Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, nor to His Excellency Daniel Toroitich arap Moi."

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