President William Ruto has said he will follow in the footsteps of Former President Mwai Kibaki in terms of tax collection.
Speaking to farmers in Meru, the head of state said his administration is on course on new taxes and will not relent, adding tax collection will increase revenue.
"Mzee Kibaki wakati alikua Rais tulikua tunakusanya ushuru 200 billion. Akatusaidia kutusukumia mpaka ikafika 900 billion karibu one trillion. Niendelee na ile ya kukopa ama nirudi kwa ile ya Kibaki tukusanye ushuru?" he asked.
(When Kibaki was the President, we used to collect Sh200 billion in revenue. He helped the country until we collected up to Sh900 billion, almost Sh1 trillion. Should I continue borrowing or go back to Kibaki style to collect more revenues?)
The President stated that he will not lead the country astray by borrowing, but will fully collect taxes.
"Si hii madeni itaendelea kutuingisha kwa tabu? Na si ni mimi niko hapo sasa? Mimi sitakuwa Rais wa kuingiza nchi kwa matope, kwa hivyo tuendelee kukusanya ushuru, tujenge taifa letu la Kenya," he said.
(These loans will give us more problems. I am in government. I won't be the President that will lead the country astray. We will continue collecting taxes, to build our country)
Further, Ruto said that the Kenya Kwanza government is committed to ensuring it delivers its mandate to Citizens, including the implementation of the Finance Bill 2023.
"I have a contract with Kenyans, I promised to create jobs, and improve the economy of the country. This Housing Fund will help many Kenyans as it will create job opportunities, and restore dignity to slum dwellers by making their own homes."