President William Ruto is facing pressure from the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) to suspend taxes and address the high cost of living.
In a statement, the three organizations said the insensitive changes in policies and socio-economic models have devastated livelihoods and condemned millions of people into abject poverty.
“The people of Kenya are suffering. More and more people are sleeping hungry and going without health care,” read the statement.
Further, they told Ruto to urgently provide solutions to the situation to give the people hope and sustenance even as the government works to revive the economy.
“Towards this, we recommend that the government should suspend the implementation of the higher taxes introduced through the Finance Act 2023 to give Kenyans and businesses a chance to recover,” the statement reads in part.
According to the faith-based organizations, the Act will lead to higher tax income for the government.
Expenditure & Corruption
Additionally, the organizations stated that deliberate measures should be taken to reduce expenditure by both national and county governments.
Besides, they emphasized that the massive wastage being witnessed and flaunted is really heartbreaking for Kenyans who are toiling hard to pay taxes.
Also, they suggested that there is need for public discourse on measures to end corruption which has permeated every sector of our county and the entire nation.
Furthermore, they called for speedy and open investigations into the circumstances bedeviling the fuel sector leading to high and unsustainable pump prices.
They suggested that people found culpable should be removed from holding public office for causing such suffering to Kenyans.
‘We call upon the government to make public the details and conditionalities attached to loans and other international agreements that Kenyans will be paying for,” said the statement.
Also Read: Ruto Hints at Reducing Taxes on Select Products
Ruto Appreciated for Bipartisan Talks
However, the forum appreciated the progress made by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) despite the emerging hiccups.
In addition, they mentioned that the commencement and progress of the dialogue process has given the country hope, and especially benefitted Nairobi County by ending the devastating demonstrations witnessed earlier in the year.
They urged the two parties in the Bi-Partisan talks to carry the process to the end and provide a people-oriented solution to the country.
“Of key urgency is the need to facilitate recruitment of commissioners for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Without a properly constituted IEBC, we as a nation will get into a constitutional crisis if the boundaries review process is not completed within the stipulated timeliness, a predicament we need to avoid,” read the statement.
On their part, they encouraged County Governors to also embrace dialogue and consultations as a way to end the constant tussles with Members of County Assemblies so as to safeguard service delivery.
Also Read: Ruto Asked to Be Honest with Jobless Kenyans
Lies Condemned
Further, the organizations noted with deep concern the growing display of dishonesty by elected and nominated leaders in the nation.
“We remind all political leaders that Kenyans trusted them and elected them to the positions they hold, and persistently lying and acting without integrity is a terrible betrayal of this public confidence,” added the statement.
Finally, the organization explained that Kenyans are fully able to handle truth, and Kenya will thrive when everyone shed off lies and deceptions.
