Tag: Ruto news

Activist Boniface Mwangi Calls on President Ruto and Deputy Gachagua to Declare Wealth and Tax Returns

Posted on by Ozymandias

Activist Boniface Mwangi has called on President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua to declare their wealth and tax returns publicly.

Mwangi made the remarks after President Ruto and Mr. Gachagua shared photos of themselves filing their tax returns at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) headquarters in Nairobi.

During his visit to the taxman, President Ruto stated that KRA should facilitate the smooth and efficient payment of taxes by deploying a simple, transparent and convenient system for all Kenyans, backed by the best technology available.

On his part, Mr. Gachagua noted that the Head of State had led by example and urged all Kenyans to follow suit by filing their Tax Returns on time as required by law.

In response to their visit, Mwangi tweeted, “You @rigathi and @WilliamsRuto should make your wealth declaration and tax returns public if you mean business. Anything short of that is just public relations. All the leaders of the free world where you borrow money make their wealth public. Leadership entails true transparency.”

Mwangi’s call comes amid growing public scrutiny of the wealth and financial dealings of Kenya’s political leaders. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile corruption scandals involving Kenyan politicians, and many Kenyans are demanding greater transparency from their leaders.

By calling on President Ruto and Mr. Gachagua to declare their wealth and tax returns, Mwangi is hoping to shine a light on the financial dealings of Kenya’s political elite and hold them accountable to the public.

It remains to be seen whether President Ruto and Mr. Gachagua will heed Mwangi’s call. However, if they do, it would be a significant step towards greater transparency and accountability in Kenyan politics.

For more thought-provoking opinion pieces, click here. And be sure to like our Instagram page.

Ruto Acknowledges ‘Zakayo’ Nickname, Files Tax Returns

Posted on by Ozymandias

President William Ruto on Friday acknowledged the nickname “Zakayo” that was given to him by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.

Speaking after filing his tax returns at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Ruto said, “Seems I have already been referred to as Zakayo in some areas. Maybe we will have a tax collectors day.”

Zakayo is a Swahili version of the Biblical Zaccheus, who was the chief tax collector in Jericho. The nickname was given to Ruto in reference to the high cost of living and the introduction of new taxes in different sectors.

Ruto filed his tax returns at the KRA headquarters in Nairobi on Friday morning. He was accompanied by his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

The KRA official who served Ruto said that the president had complied with all tax regulations. “You are our very first customer, we have filed the returns and the certificate has been sent to your email,” the official said.

The process took approximately 15 minutes. Ruto’s move is seen as a way of encouraging Kenyans to file their tax returns. The deadline for filing the 2022 tax returns is June 30.

In his remarks after filing his returns, Ruto said that taxes paid by citizens finance projects in the country. He encouraged everyone to follow suit and file their tax returns as required by the law.

“I have always endeavoured to be tax compliant and to remit my taxes in full. This exercise is not a mere dramatization or a publicity stunt, it is an exercise I cherish,” he said.

Ruto also said that the KRA needs to be more friendly to its customers and serve them well. “KRA must acquire a new image, so that when people come to Times Tower, they don’t come here trembling, but come happy to be served,” he said.

For more thought-provoking opinion pieces, click here. And be sure to like our Instagram page.

President Ruto Files Tax Returns

Posted on by Dennis Elnino

President William Ruto filed his tax returns at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on Friday morning. He was accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The President arrived at the KRA offices at 8:15 am and was served by a KRA official. The official confirmed that the President had complied with all tax regulations.

Ruto’s decision to file his tax returns comes a few days after he challenged other leaders to do the same. He said that it is important for leaders to set an example by paying their taxes.

“I challenge all leaders to file their tax returns and pay their taxes in full,” Ruto said. “This is the right thing to do and it is also the law.”

Ruto’s filing of his tax returns is a positive step and it shows that he is committed to paying his taxes. It is also a good example for other leaders to follow.

Ruto Defends Proposed Housing Levy

Posted on by Dennis Elnino

President William Ruto on Sunday defended the proposed housing levy that will see formally employed Kenyans contribute 3% of their salaries to the National Housing Fund.

Speaking during a Sunday service at Isiolo Boys High School, Ruto said that the levy will be mandatory even for Kenyans who are not interested in owning homes through the affordable housing program.

“The programme will result in the creation of 1 million jobs a year in the construction industry, and it is a collective duty for all Kenyans to help reduce the high rate of unemployment,” Ruto said.

“You don’t think it is your business to contribute to the employment of unemployed Kenyans?” Ruto questioned the journalist. “That is why the constitution gives me the power to tax,” the president added.

The proposed housing levy has been met with mixed reactions from Kenyans. Some people support the levy, saying that it is a necessary step to address the country’s housing deficit. Others oppose the levy, saying that it is unfair to force people to contribute to a fund that they may never use.

Ruto said that the government is still working on the details of the housing levy, and that it will be open to public feedback. He said that the government is committed to providing affordable housing for all Kenyans.

Tunataka handshake! Atwoli Urges Ruto and Odinga to Meet to Discuss Economy

Posted on by Ozymandias

Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has urged President William Ruto and Raila Odinga to meet to discuss solutions to the poor economy.

Atwoli, who spoke in a video shared by Citizen TV, said that the two leaders are the only ones who can solve the current economic mess. He dismissed the bipartisan talks that were recently launched, saying that they are meaningless.

“That commission does not have any meaning. It is upon Raila Odinga and William Ruto to sit down and look at ways to address these problems. They are stakeholders in this country. The people in the tribunals are small people who cannot advise the two leaders. They need to meet for the common good of this country. It is not a must to have a handshake,” Atwoli said.

He also explained that countries in the East African Community (EAC) and other neighbours depended on Kenya and the state of our economy might affect them.

“They need to think about how they can save our shilling, economy. The whole of the East African Community and other neighbours solely depend on our economy. When we destroy our economy, the whole of East Africa will be done,” he said.

Atwoli’s call comes at a time when the Kenyan economy is facing a number of challenges, including high inflation, rising unemployment, and a depreciating currency. The two leaders have been at loggerheads for years, but Atwoli believes that they need to put their differences aside and work together to save the country’s economy.

It remains to be seen whether Ruto and Odinga will heed Atwoli’s call, but the stakes are high. The future of Kenya’s economy, and indeed the East African Community, may depend on it.

For more thought-provoking opinion pieces, click here. And be sure to like our Instagram page.

Try Jesus, but don’t try me, Uhuru Kenyatta tells Ruto

Posted on by Ozymandias

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta has warned Deputy President William Ruto against attempting to hijack the Jubilee Party. Speaking at the Jubilee Party National Delegates Conference on Monday, Kenyatta said that he would not be moved or shaken by threats.

“There are those who think their work is all about threats. I want to tell them to try others, not me,” Kenyatta said.

Kenyatta went on to say that he had considered resigning from the party as party leader.

“My thoughts had told me to relax on politics and go attend to other duties. I thought that today at this meeting that I would resign and said that my time is up and elect other leaders,” he said.

However, the party leader said that Jubilee will remain strong and united as one.

In February this year, Uhuru confirmed his stand in the Azimio La Umoja Coalition. He affirmed that he is still a member of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party, despite his silence.

“Retirement doesn’t mean I’m tired. Others retire and increase their political strength,” Uhuru said.

“Even though I have retired from politics, I’m still a follower of Raila. If he asks me we go we have to do it. I supported him and I will continue doing so because I believe he is truthful,” Uhuru said.

The Retired head of state further affirmed his support for Opposition chief Raila Odinga and insisted that he will support him.

Kenyatta’s remarks come at a time of heightened political tensions in Kenya. The country is scheduled to hold general elections in August 2022, and the two main political parties, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya and Kenya Kwanza, are locked in a fierce battle for power.

Ruto is the leader of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, which is seen as the main challenger to Azimio la Umoja One Kenya. Ruto has been accused of trying to hijack the Jubilee Party in order to use it as a platform to launch his presidential campaign.

Kenyatta’s warning to Ruto is a clear sign that he will not allow the Deputy President to take over the Jubilee Party. The Retired President is determined to ensure that the party remains united and supports his preferred candidate, Raila Odinga.

For more thought-provoking opinion pieces, click here. And be sure to like our Instagram page.

Ruto rebuffs German state media push for LGBTQ

Posted on by Ozymandias

President Ruto was recently interviewed by the German state media company Deutsche Welle, better known as DW.

Daddy Owen Set To Go The Legal Route In His Fight Against LGBTQ

The topic they discussed ranged from Russia’s war with Ukraine as well as the IMF’s role in Africa.

And the last topic the journalist attempted to touch on and push was one regarding LGBTQ rights. President ruto was first asked about his opinion on Uganda’s Draconian Anti-homosexuality Bill.

Uganda criminalizes LGBTQ

He declined to speak on Ugandan affairs as he is a Kenyan and if the DW journalist wanted to have that conversation he is free to invite president Yoweri Museveni on his show.

 

The journalist then pressed on to ask about Kenya’s own LGBTQ laws and whether President Ruto would be willing to view the issue as a human rights issue.

Daddy Owen confronts Anitah Raey in LGBTQ debate

The president was categorical in his explanation that in Kenya within the context of our culture and within our constitution it is very clear that we understand marriage as being between a man and a woman. And the fact that Kenyans voted for the constitution back in 2010 means that this is a very recent understanding rather than a colonial law we still cling onto.

President Ruto has shut down any hopes members of the LGBTQ community have that they will see a change in Kenyan laws within the town of his presidency.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ghafla! (@ghaflakenya)

For more thought-provoking opinion pieces, click here. And be sure to like our Instagram page.