President William Ruto has said he is ready to face criticism on taxes rather than letting the country sink into debt.
Speaking on Wednesday during the Inspection of Masinde Muliro Market in Kitale, Ruto said he will do all he can to create employment through the Affordable Housing Scheme.
He said he has no problem being referred to as Zakayo adding that it is better than letting the country sink into debt.
"Nikasema tulipe Housing Levy, watu wakasema ya kwamba naleta mambo ya 'Zakayo'. Heri mimi nikuwe 'Zakayo' lakini hawa vijana wapate ajira, heri niitwe 'Zakayo' na Kenya issingie kwa madeni," he said.
(I said we pay the Housing Levy but people said that I'm becoming the Biblical Zaccheus 'Zakayo'. It is better to be Zakayo and the youths get employment. It is better to be 'Zakayo' than let Kenya sink into debt).
In May 2023, the name Zakayo surfaced on social platforms in the wake of new tax proposals made by the Ruto-led administration.
They likened Ruto to Zacchaeus, who climbed the sycamore tree to see Jesus, according to the Bible.
In the Bible, specifically the New Testament, Zacchaeus was a tax collector in the city of Jericho.
He was hated by the Jews because they felt he was keeping their money for himself.
The President seems to have embraced the nickname; 'Zakayo'.
Ruto has before defended the government's tax measures saying it is good for the country.
The President said the problem with the country is not taxes but debts.
The head of state said the debts have caused problems for other countries in Africa, delaying their developments.
"Some countries in Africa have missed paying their debts, and they are now in problems. I will not allow our country to go that route where we will not be fully independent," he said.
"The problem in Kenya is not taxes but debts."
The President further said that unless the country manages its appetite for debt and borrowing, Kenya will be a slave to those who lend to the country.
"There is no single nation that has been destroyed by taxes; so many nations have been built with taxes," he added.
