Tag: President William Ruto news

Ruto Defends Finance Bill, Says Past Governments Did Not Explain Tax Increases

Posted on by Ozymandias

President William Ruto has defended the Finance Bill 2023, saying his government has engaged Kenyans and explained the need for the increased taxes.

Speaking at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Molo on July 2, 2023, the Head of State said that past governments did not see the need to explain to Kenyans the need to increase taxes.

“This year, 2023, is when Kenyans heard for the first time there is something called a finance bill. But I want to inform everyone that finance proposals have been there in past administrations,” Ruto said.

He added that his government has been transparent about the need for increased taxes, and that it has held public consultations to get feedback from Kenyans.

“We have explained to Kenyans why we need to increase taxes. We have told them that the money will be used to improve the economy and provide essential services,” Ruto said.

He also said that the government has put in place measures to cushion Kenyans from the impact of the increased taxes, such as reducing the cost of living and providing subsidies for essential goods and services.

“We know that the increased taxes will have an impact on Kenyans, but we have put in place measures to mitigate the impact,” Ruto said.

He urged Kenyans to support the Finance Bill 2023, saying that it is in the best interests of the country.

“This is a bill that will help to improve the economy and provide essential services to Kenyans. I urge you to support it,” Ruto said.

Ruto Calls Huduma Namba a Fraud

Posted on by Ozymandias

President William Ruto has called the Huduma Namba initiative a “complete fraud” and said that Kenyans lost about Sh15 billion as a result of the project.

Speaking on Friday, Ruto said that the process of getting Kenyans to use digital identity cards had been “traumatic” for the people. He said that the Huduma Namba project was a “phantom project” that did not deliver on its promises.

“We lost almost 15 billion shillings and got very little out of it,” Ruto said. “We must demonstrate in the next 90 days that it is possible for us to have a Digital ID without spending 15 billion and without defrauding the people of Kenya. Those who did that should be ashamed of themselves.”

Ruto said that the government would launch a new digital ID project in the next 90 days that would not cost as much as the Huduma Namba project. He said that the new project would be more efficient and would provide Kenyans with the digital IDs they need to access government services.

The Huduma Namba project was launched in 2018 by the previous government. The project aimed to create a single digital identity for all Kenyans. However, the project was criticized for being expensive and for not delivering on its promises.

Ruto’s comments about the Huduma Namba project are the latest in a series of attacks he has made on the previous government. Ruto is the running mate of presidential candidate Raila Odinga in the upcoming election.

The election is scheduled to be held on August 9, 2023.

President William Ruto unveils a four-point plan to reduce the high cost of living

Posted on by Ozymandias

President William Ruto has unveiled a four-point plan to reduce the high cost of living in Kenya.

The plan includes:

  • Reducing theft of crops from government stores. This will help to ensure that more food is available on the market, which will help to drive down prices.
  • Building small markets for vendors across the country. This will make it easier for farmers and pastoralists to sell their produce, which will also help to drive down prices.
  • Gathering, adding value, processing, and manufacturing agricultural products from farmers. This will help to increase the value of agricultural products, which will benefit farmers and consumers.
  • Creating more jobs for young people. This will help to reduce poverty and increase disposable income, which will also help to drive down prices.

Ruto said that the government is already working on implementing these measures, and that he is confident that they will be effective in reducing the high cost of living.

He also said that he understands the frustration that many Kenyans are feeling about the high cost of living, and that he is committed to doing everything he can to address this issue.