Seasoned unionist Seth Panyako who was once a number one defender of President William Ruto has criticised the head of state over what he termed as a 'betrayal' of Kenyans barely eight months after he assumed office.
Panyako on Sunday called on Ruto to reconsider his policies even as he continues to serve Kenyans.
He urged Ruto to stay true to the words he promised Kenyans during the campaign period and lower the cost of living.
“We promised Kenyans that we shall lower the cost of doing business, we shall lower the eight per cent VAT on petroleum; today the VAT has been increased while the VAT for helicopters has been removed, how many Kenyans own helicopters?” he posed.
"I am wondering if I were to campaign for you (Ruto) in 2027, what will I be telling people? These are not the policies of UDA, these are not policies of Kenya kwanza because I was there, I campaigned for this government.”
Panyako said no government in the world has attained development through over-taxing its civil servants and called for smart measures to implement government programmes.
He said the government can implement the housing project through public-private partnerships as well as through already schemes such as Lapfund and Laptrust instead of imposing the three per cent housing levy.
On Saturday, Azimio leader Raila Odinga called on President Ruto's administration to stop over-taxing Kenyans.
He said the government should instead consult stakeholders and come up with amicable ways of raising funds to avoid hurting Kenyans, who are already struggling with the hard economic times.
