Allies Warn Raila Odinga of ‘Economic Sabotage’ in Tax Row with President Ruto
On Wednesday, President William Ruto’s allies accused opposition leader Raila Odinga of “economic sabotage.” And warned that the government would not tolerate his threats.
The leaders of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance warned that any attempts to incite “chaos” through civil disobedience. Would be met with the full force of the law.
Kimani Ichung’wa, the leader of the majority in the National Assembly, stated that violence would destroy property.
Mr. Ichung’wa stated, “If he takes that stance, he will face the Interior Cabinet Secretary, the Inspector-General of Police, and General Service Unit officers.”
Mr. Odinga on Tuesday announced measures to deny the government tax to push for the repealing of the Finance Act, 2023, which the opposition has labeled “punitive”.
He urged tax boycotts by limiting fuel consumption and requested that public service vehicle owners and operators support the boycotts by maintaining the current fares but increasing their carrying capacity.
The leader of the alliance Azimio la Umoja One Kenya asked traffic police officers to allow matatus to transport standing passengers.
He instructed businesses to disable or avoid electronic tax registers, file no value-added tax returns, and offer customer discounts. Mr. Odinga also urged employers to disregard salary deductions.
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“The deducted funds will benefit only a few government officials,” he said, adding that Kenyans should deny government vehicles and motorcades the right of way.
Aaron Cheruiyot, the majority leader of the Senate, dismissed Mr. Odinga’s calls, stating that the opposition coalition resolutions presented on Tuesday at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi are “bizarre and incoherent.”
Media and home furnishings “The Azimio leaders should forego their hundreds of millions of shillings in retirement benefits and walk to their offices to avoid consuming highly taxed fuel,” a senator from Kericho stated.
MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Nelson Koech (Belgut), and Essy Okenyuri, a Senator-elect, accused Mr. Odinga of inciting Kenyans against the government.
Mr. Nyoro stated, “Anyone arguing against his own country is an enemy of the people he claims to represent.” “You announce that people should walk to work, then minutes later you hop into a gas-guzzler.
This contradiction reveals the irresponsibility of opposition leaders.” He added that the opposition should present itself as an alternative government.
Mr. Koech stated that Mr. Odinga should not incite Kenyans against the government after losing during the passage of the Finance Bill, 2023 in the National Assembly.
The lawmaker from Belgut stated, “It is dishonest to call on Kenyans to disobey laws passed by the Parliament in a process in which his party and MPs participated.”
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“He once urged his supporters to boycott media and consumer goods because they refused to serve his political interests. Now he is asking matatus to transport an excessive number of passengers, endangering lives.” Ms. Okenyuri stated that governments require taxes for growth.
“If he deprives the government of revenue and causes our economy to collapse, it will be ordinary Kenyans who suffer. Ms. Okenyuri stated that Raila has access to the best private hospitals.
She accused Mr. Odinga of insincerity, even though President William Ruto had agreed to meet with the opposition. Mr. Odinga called for an end to the bipartisan discussions, stating that the time has come for action.
Allies Warn Raila Odinga of ‘Economic Sabotage’ in Tax Row with President Ruto
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