Three ODM MPs from the Nyanza region want President William Ruto to obey the Court of Appeal decision on the housing levy.
Legislators Lillian Gogo (Rangwe), James Nyikal (Seme), and Ruth Odinga (Kisumu) argued that many Kenyans support the court judgment that prohibited the government from continuing to collect housing levy from Kenyans.
The levies are collected for the implementation of affordable housing projects.
Three Court of Appeal judges Lydia Achode, John Mativo, and Mwaniki Gachoka issued the judgment last Friday.
“Don't disobey court orders by insisting that you have to continue collecting taxes for the affordable housing project. The court verdict on the housing levy should be respected,” Gogo said.
The MPs spoke during the burial of Wilfrida Mumbo at Omoche village in Rangwe constituency.
Gogo said the verdict illegalized the deduction of employees' salaries for the construction of affordable houses.
She asked President Ruto to be a role model in observing the rule of law in the country.
Gogo said it would be wrong if President Ruto remains adamant that Kenyans should continue paying the levy.
“This levy now becomes illegal. The government shouldn't impose any unconstitutional levy on Kenyans,” Gogo said.
The Rangwe MP argued the government should change its position on the housing levy the same way it usually handles other unconstitutional matters.
Let the government know that the way the court has disapproved the housing levy Kenyans now treat it as illegal,” she said.
President Ruto has been vocal on the implementation of the affordable housing project saying it is key in creating jobs for Kenyans.
The president has pronounced that the government will appeal the Friday court verdict.
“The housing project is significant because it creates job opportunities for many Kenyans youths,” the president said.
Nyikal pressured President Ruto not to consider disobeying the court order because it is the same Judiciary that enabled him to ascend to the seat after the last general election.
He asked the government to look for alternative methods of financing the housing project.
“Had the Judiciary not ruled in favour of Ruto after the contested election he would not be a president today. President Ruto is a product of the court,” Nyakal said.
"He added that Ruto will cause a bad precedence in Kenya if he continues to defy court orders,” Nyikal said.
Ruth faulted Ruto for allegedly failing to address the cost of living. She said the high cost of living has made life unbearable for Kenyans.