The controversial proposals have triggered political heat with the opposition promising a protracted political battle with the state if Kenya Kwanza marshals its troops in Parliament to push through the laws.
Speaking in Busia County on Sunday, Ruto maintained the Finance Bill 2023 was developed with his development blueprint of the “bottom-up economic” model in mind.
“I am not mad, I know what I am saying and I am a teetotaler... My first assignment, I promised ordinary Kenyans, hustlers that this time round we shall uplift those at the bottom of the economic pyramid,” he emphasised.
To create jobs in the country, Ruto said the Finance Bill proposes taxation for many imports that can easily be produced locally.
“We have said importing fish from China will not go on, let us get fish from here so that our youth get jobs. We are going to tax fish imports,” Ruto said.
He also listed taxation of imported cement, imported furniture and metal.
The Head of State maintained that it's through the three per cent housing levy that his administration intends to sort out the unemployment crisis in Kenya.
According to Ruto, the construction of only 5,000 houses in a place like Busia will create 25,000 jobs.
The Kenya Kwanza regime intends to build 250,000 houses per year throughout the country.
Ruto said the opposition to the housing agenda was a conspiracy by the working elite to ensure the masses remain in poverty.
“I have said those who have a payslip to contribute something small so that even you can get a payslip,” Ruto said, asking Kenyans to have empathy.
“Let me ask you the people of Busia if you people are helping us to pay teachers, to pay doctors, MCAs, MPs and even the President if we deduct just three per cent of our pay so that you people also have jobs is there a problem?” he posed.
The President said the Finance Bill also allocates money for the establishment of ICT hubs in every ward across the country to help Kenyan youths get “digital jobs.”
“A youth here in Busia can work in America without leaving his village through the Internet,” he said.
Ruto said in the event that MPs shoot down the Bill, Kenyans should ask their MPs for jobs.
The Bill has triggered a storm in the country with hundreds of petitions being sent to Parliament to oppose it.
Among institutions that have opposed it include
Law Society of Kenya, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Federation of Kenya Employers, Civil Servants’ unions, Kenya Private Sector Alliance and Institute of Economic Affairs.
The proposed law, among others, increases the National Hospital Insurance Fund and National Social Security Fund contribution, especially for high earners.
It also proposes to raise income tax from the current 30 per cent to 35 per cent for those earning Sh500, 000 and above.
The Bill also increases VAT on petroleum products from the current eight percent to 16 percent.
Opposition leaders led by Raila Odinga have promised the government “a battle never seen before” if the government pushes through the changes.
“Kenya kwanza two options, face and listen to Kenyans, or ignore them and face a battle with Kenyans never seen before in this country,” Raila said in a statement on Saturday
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
