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Azimio calls for fair taxation approach amid harsh economic challenges

Roots party boss George Wajackoyah, National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, PNU Party Leader Peter Munya, Azimio leader Raila Odinga, Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka, DAPK Party Leader Eugine Wamalwa and former Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria. (X/Azimio)

By Lucy Mumbi | Tuesday, March 5, 2024

The Opposition said the government is failing the test of being caring and compassionate to Kenyans by imposing heavy taxes.

The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Alliance has called on the Kenya Kwanza government to adopt a fair and compassionate approach to taxing Kenyans.

Speaking on Tuesday after an Azimio summit meeting, the Opposition Party said the government is failing the test of being caring and compassionate to Kenyans by imposing heavy taxes.

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“On the state of the economy, the Summit maintains the view that the tax burden being borne by Kenyans is unreasonable and unsustainable. The Kenya Kwanza regime is failing the test of being caring and compassionate. Paying taxes should never be a punishment but a patriotic duty,” Raila Odinga-led coalition said.

The Opposition held a Summit meeting at the SKM Command Center which was attended by Azimio leader Raila Odinga, Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka, DAPK Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa, former Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria, PNU Party Leader Peter Munya, ODM Deputy Party Leader Wycliffe Oparanya, Roots party boss George Wajackoyah and National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi.

The Coalition Party added that they remain opposed to the 16 per cent tax on petroleum products.

While defending his decision to increase the VAT on petroleum products from 8 per cent to 16 per cent, President William Ruto said he intends to raise Sh50 billion from the enhanced VAT on petroleum products.

"The 8 per cent will give us Sh50 billion to deal with roads across the country," he said during an interview with major TV stations at State House on May 14, 2023.

The President said the move is important to seal loopholes being exploited by businessmen to deny the country the much-needed revenue.

Other issues the Coalition Party opposed include the housing tax, high PAYE rates and the subjection of retiree pensions to taxation.

Furthermore, the Opposition Party vehemently opposed the taxation of farm produce, arguing that it unfairly targets farmers and hinders agricultural growth.

They called on farmers to resist the tax, emphasizing the importance of standing up against policies they perceived as unreasonable and cruel.

“We also remain opposed, deeply, to the idea of subjecting farm produce to taxation. It is our position that forcing farmers to part with Sh5 for every Sh100 they make from their farm produce is unreasonable and cruel,” they said.

Other issues discussed at the Summit include the adoption of the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report by the National Assembly and Raila's candidature for the African Union Commission chairmanship.