The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of harsh taxation measures and neglecting the concerns raised by different stakeholders.
Speaking during a conference in Limuru on February 2, the council secretary general Chris Kinyanjui alleged that Ruto disrespected the rule of law by failing to adhere to principles of good governance.
“Yes, our members voted for you but they did not vote for you to increase taxes,” he stated.
Kinyanjui further argued that Ruto's policies were not working as Kenyans were struggling to pay taxes and make ends meet.
"Our church members are saying although they supported Kenya Kwanza, we did not support Kenya Kwanza to increase taxes," Kinyanjui commented.
The NCCK lamented that taxation measures, particularly the housing levy and the social health fund, had significantly affected Kenyans' take-home pay.
"We did not give the Kenya Kwanza mandate, to charge them the housing levy for houses they don't need,"
"We don't want to be charged more, for health like NHIF, increasing it and also the other taxes that are being increased is unjustified," he further clarified.
NCCK further urged the government to set up a social and economic council to address the country’s economic challenges.
The clerics stated that the council should be mandated to address and create public awareness of other proposed taxes, especially in the Agriculture sector.
Last year, reports stated that the government planned to introduce Kdh500,000 fines and jail terms for entrepreneurs in the poultry and livestock sectors.
The Ministry of Agriculture planned to empower chicken inspectors to raid farms and inspect vehicles and planes ferrying poultry.
