Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga engaged in a heated debate over taxes and budget cuts.
Kahiga while addressing the congregation at a service in AIPCA Ngangarithi Church in Nyeri on Sunday, June 9 claimed that the new taxes proposed on the Finance Bill 2024 will be a burden to citizens.
“These people you see here should not lie to you. This Finance Bill in which you are proposing more taxes is not approved by these people you are seeing. This Finance Bill should be shut down,” Mutahi said.
He went on to say that the proposal to impose tax on vehicles is unacceptable further challenging Members of Parliament (MPs) to reject the bill saying that is what Kenyans want.
“Now you want to tax these vehicles that you did not help Kenyans buy and you want us to keep quiet. We will speak,” he added.
“We have problems. The citizens are crying that the taxes are too much. If they are not telling you that then I don’t know. Tell the president things are not right.”
In response, CS Murkomen urged Kahiga to lead by example by removing all taxes in Nyeri County before urging the government not to introduce new taxes.
“I have heard Governor Kahiga saying we should not pay taxes nor introduce another one. If you don’t want taxes to be paid, I only need one help, call the people of Nyeri County and ask them which roads they need to be removed so that taxes should not be imposed,” Murkomen said.
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The Transport CS also asked Mutahi not to incite people when it comes to matters of taxes but focus on reducing his county budget before criticizing the government.
“Do your public participation because I have seen people have clapped for you. Also do a public participation of the Ksh18 billion allocated on the rural roads and Ksh 20 billion on the KeNHA roads where almost Ksh 40 billion is for Nyeri County and agree on reducing the budget so that we can also reduce the taxes they pay,” Murkomen said.
“You have complained of people being overtaxed start by removing the taxes you have imposed on small traders and sales. Lead by example and stop hurting the government of President William Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua. Start by yours together with your Deputy governor first.”
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The CS went on to lecture Mutahi and accused him of fueling the rift between President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
“You have failed him, governor as the elder in this region. You should be calming these young politicians when they try to cross the line. Instead of that, you are adding fuel to what does not exist. The role of uniting Mt. Kenya should be done by Kahiga, who is the chairman of Mt. Kenya governors,” he said
“Let Gachagua go. You are disrespecting him and Kenyans when you pull him from being a national leader to becoming the Mathira leader. Let Ruto and Gachagua work towards uniting the people of Kenya.”
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