President William Ruto on Friday said payment of taxes enables the country to finance development.
He said his duty and that of every citizen of Kenya is to pay their share of taxes so as to enable the government to provide essential public services.
"Our taxes build our roads, run our hospitals, schools, courts of law, and provide funds for the vulnerable. They also provide defence and national security services," he said.
Ruto said paying taxes is the only way to lay the foundation for the pursuit and achievement of economic growth, sustainable development, and prosperity that can be shared by all.
The Head of State said there are few people who can afford to pay a very high price per unit and have been paying the taxes but the progress of the country is not measured by the few who can afford it.
By paying the taxes, he said there will be improved provision of public goods which demonstrates the advantages of living in a community.
Different leaders recently had different opinions on the imposed taxes saying the changes would affect income tax, value-added tax, and various fees and penalties as well as compliance requirements.
Raila has been critical of the Kenya Kwanza regime on a number of fronts including what he terms as excessive taxation of an already struggling population that's weighed down by the high cost of living.
He cited excessive taxation by the Ruto administration among the reasons that prompted him to call for weekly mass protests in March, alongside calls for electoral justice and respect for democracy.
