• Ruto said that hearing people working in the digital space talking about making money and paying taxes is a very positive thing.
• He added that it is the only was Kenya can remain independent.
Image: PCS
Hearing people working in the digital space talking about making money and paying taxes is a very positive thing, President William Ruto has said.
Speaking at State House on Monday Ruto now says that he is happy everybody is becoming conscious about paying their taxes.
He went on to say that paying taxes is the only way the country can self-sustain itself.
He added that it is the only way Kenya can remain independent.
"The very positive thing I keep hearing from people in the digital space is that they keep telling me you know we are going to make this much money minus tax it's going to be so much," Ruto said.
"I am very happy that everybody is now becoming conscious about making sure we pay our taxes because it's the only way we can sustain and maintain our independence as a country."
The President spoke during a meeting with officials from Facebook and Instagram's mother company, Meta, and a some content creators where they discussed ongoing monetisation plans.
His remarks came after comedian and content creator Eddie Butita jokingly advised the President to also monetise his Facebook page so that he can earn more money.
He noted that the president would make 'some good money after tax'.
"Last year Mr President you mentioned that I earn more than your salary, I think this year you will overtake me because you have a Facebook page, all you need to do is monetise it," Butita said during his address.
During the meeting, Meta officials announced that as of June 2024, Kenyan digital creators will be able to monetise their content on Facebook and Instagram
Together with the President, they said that the creators will also receive their money through the mobile money platform M-Pesa, directly.
"In a few weeks, many of you will be eligible. Eligibility criteria will now be available for all creators in Kenya. That's a big step to make sure that our content creators have an opportunity to monetise their talent to give themselves additional revenue and I'm truly grateful to Facebook for walking with us on this journey," Ruto said.
"I've gotten a commitment that by June, all our creators will now have an opportunity to monetise everything they do in that space, put Ads, and it speaks to our Bottom-up Economic Transformation agenda on making sure that we give everybody a chance."