‘Azimio principals are unemployed, we don’t have salaries to be deducted for housing levy’ – Raila tells Ruto
Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga has told off President William Ruto over claims that the opposition's stand on the Housing Fund and Finance Bill 2023, were motivated by personal interests.
In a press release sent to newsrooms on Saturday, May 27, 2023, Raila maintained that all demands made by the coalition towards the current regime were for the good of Kenyans rather than personal interests.
He affirmed that all the coalition's principals were unemployed and had no salaries to be deducted from.
The opposition leader underscored that he was entirely able to cope with the harsh economic times, unlike other Kenyans who were struggling to make ends meet.
"The Housing Levy, which now seems to be non-negotiable, does not affect Raila Odinga or my co-workers at a personal level. All of us are unemployed and do not have salaries to be deducted for the housing levy. We are fighting for those Kenyans whose salaries have continued to shrink because of taxes loans and statutory deductions," he stated.
"Like my counterparts in Kenya Kwanza, I can afford the costly unga, fuel, electricity, paraffin and sugar, among ther expensive items. But I know millions of Kenyans can't," he added.
Further, Raila stood firm that he was speaking out on behalf of Kenyans to pre-empt the worst for the country that is caught up in a struggling economy and a regime that does not 'care'.
He underscored that Ruto should pay attention to the citizens' plea and act swiftly lest he witnesses' a battle that has never been 'seen before'.
"I earn no per diem like government officials do. I am voicing concerns on behalf of lowly paid civil servants whose per diems will be subjected to a 30 per cent tax deduction with consequent low work morale,
"I do not need beauty products, and neither do my co-principals. But I recognize the beauty industry as a source of employment for millions of our people, particularly the youth, hence my opposition to the 316 per cent tax hike on these products. In a nutshell, Kenya Kwanza has two options, face and listen to Kenyans or ignore them and face a battle with Kenyans never seen before in this country," he added.
