Wacha wapige mdomo! Uhuru responds to Ruto tax onslaught

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has downplayed concerns that the Kenya Kwanza regime is out to victimise him.

On Tuesday, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka expressed concern that anyone would want to victimise Uhuru.

"So, what is this we are hearing around town? Kalonzo posed.

But when he stood to speak, Uhuru downplayed the apparent tax onslaught and exuded confidence that it's hot air.

"Na wewe Steve usijali hii watu wanapiga mdomo, wacha wapige bwana. Unajua mtu ambaye hana kitu ingine ya kufanya lazima apige mdogo, wacha wapige bwana, hiyo ni ya dunia, sisi tunaendelea na yetu," Uhuru said.

(And you Steve, don't mind these people making noise, let them shout. You know someone who has nothing else to do must make noise, let them, that's life, as for us we will continue with our plans)

Kalonzo said he has been in politics for long and has witnessed the transition of power from founding father Jomo Kenyatta all through to Uhuru Kenyatta and it was all seamless.

"I saw Mzee Moi take over from Mzee Kenyatta and eventually Mzee Kibaki took over from Mzee Moi, you know, seamless transition and no name-calling," Kalonzo said.

He spoke when he accompanied Uhuru to ex-Education CS George Magoha's home in Lavington to condole with the family.

Kalonzo said upon Moi's retirement, some individuals in Cabinet wanted him dispossessed of his Kabarnet Gardens home in Nairobi, but the idea was shot down.

"We said no. So Mzee Kibaki actually ordered (former ministers) Chris Murungaru, Kiraitu Murungi to deliver the title deed to Mzee Moi to show that we must respect our leaders at that level," Kalonzo said. 

Kalonzo warned against the stance Ruto appears to be taking against his predecessor and drew parallels with what former Zambian President Fredrick Chiluba did when he took over from Kenneth Kaunda.

"When President Chiluba took over from Kaunda and started saying Kaunda is a Malawian after having been president for 28 years, Chiluba did not last," the Wiper leader said.

President William Ruto had given the clearance indication that he is going flat out for taxes from the families of his predecessors Daniel Moi and Uhuru Kenyatta in a move that's likely to trigger fresh political wars. 

Without mentioning Uhuru by name, Ruto on Monday said individuals who were in power used state machinery to exempt themselves from paying taxes and are now sponsoring Azimio protests to maintain the status quo.

Ruto, however, vowed that he would not relent in his quest to ensure all Kenyans, regardless of social status, pay taxes.

"Even if they sponsor demonstrations so that they don't pay taxes, I want to promise them, they will pay tax. There is no more exception," Ruto said.

He spoke on Monday while addressing the National Assembly Post-Election Seminar in Mombasa county.