Ruto remains unshaken on taxes as he makes more promises to Kenyans

It was a week of more pledges to  Kenyans as the country marked 6o years of Madaraka day.

The President also defended the proposed Finance Bill, 2023 in every opportunity he got.

The week kicked off on Monday when President William Ruto hosted Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at State House, Nairobi.

Ruto said trade between the two countries is still low despite the huge potential.

Raging Russia-Ukraine War, President Ruto reiterated Kenya's steadfast position on respect for the territorial integrity of member States as outlined in the UN Charter.

On Wednesday, Ruto left the country shortly to join other Heads of State from the East Africa Community (EAC) in Bujumbura, Burundi today to make major decisions on the current security situation in Eastern DRC.

They made key appointments in the East African Court of Justice (EACJ).

The highlight of the week was during the Madaraka celebrations in Embu on Thursday, where Ruto made more pledges to Kenyans.

He pledged to roll out an electric public transport system that will see electric bodaboda introduced into the Kenyan market.

The President further promised to establish five additional export zones to attract domestic and international investments.

"The government has stepped up the establishment of five additional export zones in the coming financial year in Sagana, Thika, Njoro, Eldoret and Busia to complement the one in Athi River," he stated.

Ruto pledged to complete ongoing infrastructural projects including various roads and dams under construction in Embu County and other parts of the country.

The President also had an overwhelming plea to Kenyans to embrace the Financial Bill 2023 and the Housing Fund therein.

"That is why freedom fighters consider the inherent morality of their cause to be a sufficient reward. For example, those earning Ksh200,000 monthly will pay only Ksh2,500 to a fund that helps create jobs for millions of youth and brings a meal to the tables of many hustlers. This is a worthwhile contribution to make for the greater good," he stated.

On Friday, the President hosted the 2023 Kenya National Drama Festival State Concert at the State House on Friday.

Kenya-based content creators had faulted the William Ruto-led government's plan to introduce a 15 percent withholding tax on income generated from digital content monetization.

The head of state came to the aid of digital content creators who have protested the proposal. 

The President however, tasked the Parliamentary Finance and ICT Committee to rethink the clause on taxing digital content creators in the proposed Bill. 

Ruto later presided over the Presidential economic dialogue at Serena Hotel.

The event was a high-level Engagement between the national government, county governments, and the private sector on value chains; textile, pharmaceuticals, leather, pyrethrum, housing, edible oils, and automotive.

Ruto continued to defend the affordable housing programme amid uproar over the three per cent mandatory contribution saying it aims to upgrade Kenyans' living standards.

He drew parallels with Singapore whose housing standards are currently advanced saying the country was a slum like Kibera before it ventured into the housing project. 

"Singapore was a slum just like Kibra, the difference between that country and us is the ability to make difficult decisions," Ruto said.

Over the weekend the President had a quiet diary with no major event.