• Ruto said that Kenya has what it takes to repay the debt.
• "It is reckless for anybody to say we cannot pay our debts. We have what it takes to pay our debts," he said.
Image: PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE SECRETARIAT
Deputy President William Ruto now says Kenya has the ability to service its debts with ease.
Speaking on Tuesday during the Presidential debate, Ruto exuded confidence that Kenya has what it takes to repay the debt.
"It is reckless for anybody to say we cannot pay our debts. We have what it takes to pay our debts," he said.
The DP faulted a number of unbudgeted projects running into billions of shillings for the ballooning debts.
"Unbudgeted projects are in the region of Sh100 billion and that is what is spiralling our budget today."
He added, "Our debt today is a challenge, we are living beyond our means we should stop this borrowing spree."
The second in command noted that if elected, he has a plan that will ensure the debt is managed properly.
He said his priority will be to stop the borrowing spree that has characterised the Jubilee administration.
Ruto also blamed the huge borrowing on President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga.
"We need to raise our revenues and I have said openly that we have areas we can raise revenues we collect 52 per cent of vat by automation we can raise 95 per cent of collectable VAT that will give us an extra Sh400 billion," Ruto stated.
Ruto found himself in a tight spot when enumerating how he proposes to reduce the cost of living.
He noted that he has an explicit plan on how he would reduce the cost of living should he win the August 9 general election.
Asked what the plan entails, the Deputy President said reduction of taxes on imported fuel was part of his strategy to ease the burden off Kenyan households.
He said there are about 15 different taxes levied on fuel which drive up the cost of the product.
"We need to interrogate these 15 taxes which ones can we put aside so that like other taxes we can reduce the taxation," Ruto said.
"Fifty per cent, almost, of the cost of fuel in Kenya is taxes. I think it's time as a country we looked at how else we can raise revenue," he added.
But moderator Yvonne Okwara challenged him to name the specific taxes he thinks should be removed, but the DP said he had no specifics.
"I do not have the specifics, but those 15 we need to interrogate."