The Church has called for patience from both the government and Kenyans over the Finance Bill 2024 that, if passed, will increase the tax burden on Kenyans.
Speaking in Mavueni, Kilifi county, New Life Prayer Centre and Church’s Pastor Ezekiel Odero and his Maximum Miracle Centre counterpart Bishop Pius Muiru said there must be a consensus between the government and Kenyans before the new taxes are implemented.
The two said the government cannot be an enemy of its people and must have considered many things before coming up with the proposals.
However, they also said the government must listen to its people and make the necessary adjustments so that the two parties meet halfway.
Currently, there is public participation across the country on the proposed Bill, with many Kenyans against the Bill saying it will make life even harder for them.
“I am not an economist, and for me to understand what the government has gone through so that it increases taxes, is hard.
“But the wish of the public is that taxes be at a level they can afford. Our prayer is that whatever the government does is to the benefit of the public,” Pastor Ezekiel said.
They spoke during the opening ceremony of the New Life Energies petrol station outside the New Life Prayer Centre and Church in Mavueni on Sunday.
He called on economists to make their opinions known on the proposed Bill and advise the government accordingly.
“I know my President is a saved man. He cannot wake up one day and kill his people with hunger. I know before the government increases any taxes, God speaks in him. There will be a solution,” Pastor Ezekiel said.
Bishop Muiru said the Bill is only a proposal and no tax has been added yet.
He said:
“I heard Hon Ndindi Nyoro say they will collect public views and what the people want is what they will do. They will consider Kenyans’ views.”
He echoed Pastor Ezekiel saying President William Ruto is not an enemy of the country.
“He is there to make the country prosper. I know the country is at a hard place economically but he (Ruto) told us to tighten our belts for some time and we will enjoy later,” the Bishop said.
The two said the Church also has a role to play in lifting the country’s economy.
He said the government’s main role is to create a conducive environment for business and other players like the Church can create those business opportunities.
“Everyone has a role to play in lifting the economy,” Pastor Ezekiel said.
Bishop Muiru called on Kenyans to change their beliefs that a Church should only deal with prayers.
“I have visited many nations and many churches including Nigeria and Canaan Land of Winners Chapel. They have a petrol station, a bank, a university and a 52,000-capacity church.
“Why is it that when these things happen in other nations, we are happy, but when they happen in Kenya, we have problems?” posed the Bishop.
He said when one is happy for another’s success, that success will be replicated in them.
“This petrol station will employ locals, who will pay taxes and in turn, the nation will develop,” Bishop Muiru said.
The Maximum Miracle Centre bigwig said the establishment of the petrol station and business centre is a testament for people not to give up, no matter how dire things look.
He said when they first saw the Eden Business Centre hosts a butchery, supermarket, restaurant, an executive salon and barbershop, 14-bed hotel accommodation and a petrol station, all employing hundreds
“The lesson is when you start something, push on with it even when there are hurdles and fights in the middle of the journey, knowing God is the one who put that vision in you,” Muiru said.
Pastor Ezekiel said Eden Business Centre, which hosts the eight-pump New Life Energies petrol station, was meant to empower the locals through employment.
“When we came here, it was all bush. But because of the people who come here and the locals, we had to do things that will lift the economy of this area of Mavueni and Kilifi county as a whole,” the Pastor said.
He said it is wrong to preach to people who are hungry and dying of hunger yet you can give them food.
“If we just preach and they die of hunger, we would be in the wrong. When you feed someone the word of God, find a way to feed them physically too. Let us not wait for only the government to create employment,” Pastor Ezekiel said.
He said every penny donated or contributed to the New Life Payer Centre and Church is ploughed back into the community in different forms.
These include relief food and aid during calamities like drought, and floods, among others.