Whatever It Takes: President Ruto Vows to Implement Housing Levy Despite Court Order
On Wednesday, President William Ruto pledged to enforce the Housing Levy despite its declaration of being unconstitutional by the High Court.
During the inauguration of the Diaspora Investment Conference in Nairobi, Ruto stressed his commitment to enforcing the levy by any means necessary.
“I am telling you this time round, I am implementing it, and I am so determined because we must do it. Korea did it, Singapore did it, Malaysia did it, and that is why they are ahead of us,” Ruto noted.
“We know what we must do but we cannot gather the courage to do it but this time round, whatever it takes we are going to implement it.”
The head of state criticized Azimio La Umoja for persistently criticizing the challenges affecting the collection of the Housing Levy while discussing the significant issues involved.
The President alleged that the coalition, spearheaded by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, was actively campaigning against the tax despite proposing comparable suggestions in their pre-election manifesto of 2022.
“This housing project was on the manifesto of Kenya Kwanza. The housing project, complete with percentages of the levy, was also in the Azimio manifesto, but when it comes to the implementation, that is where the devil lives,” the head of state denoted.
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“Nobody wanted this implemented but we all want to talk about it.”
He additionally urged the diaspora members to contribute towards supporting the creation of inexpensive housing, emphasizing that this effort would generate employment opportunities for numerous unemployed Kenyans.
“When some people say we must get rid of housing fund, many people step forward and say, look, for the first time we have jobs, for the first time we can feed our families, for the first time we have an opportunity to own a house,” Ruto noted.
His feelings hinted at his support for the Affordable Housing Bill 2023, brought forth in Parliament by majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah. Ichung’wah, also serving as the Kikuyu MP, aimed to legalize the tax within the law following a court ruling that deemed it unconstitutional but allowed a 45-day window for its collection.
“The bill’s principal object is to provide a legal framework for the establishment of the Affordable Housing Fund, access to affordable housing,” Ichung’wah stated.
“It will impose the Affordable Housing Levy to finance the provision of affordable housing and associated social and physical infrastructure.”
Whatever It Takes: President Ruto Vows to Implement Housing Levy Despite Court Order
