In a fiery speech at Kamukunji Grounds in Kibra, Raila Odinga, the Azimio party leader, has called out President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua to show some respect towards Mama Ngina Kenyatta and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Respect Your Elders!”
Odinga expressed his embarrassment over the fact that Mama Ngina had to come out and defend herself against the government’s tax evasion claims. He reminded Ruto and Gachagua that Mama Ngina is the same age as their grandmother and was arrested and imprisoned during the Mau Mau uprising.
“A Blast from the Past”
The Azimio leader then educated the government on the history of tax exemptions for Kenyan Presidents. The law to exempt Presidents from paying taxes was passed in 1963 and implemented in 1969, but was amended in 1982 to exempt all Kenyans from paying tax on an inherited estate from their parents. Odinga accused Ruto and Gachagua of ignorance for not knowing this, especially given that Ruto himself has appointed known tax evaders to his cabinet and state corporations.
“Mama Ngina Strikes Back”
Raila’s attack on the government came after Mama Ngina denied the government’s claims of tax evasion and declared that paying taxes is every Kenyan’s constitutional duty. She dared the government to prove their allegations and auction her property.
“Uhuru Invited for Tax Talks”
A day before Raila’s speech, Rigathi Gachagua invited Uhuru for talks on how the Kenyatta family can meet their tax obligation and offered to accept Ksh1 billion every month from the former first family.
