Move to increase taxes is a Shakahola philosophy – analyst

Political analyst and governance expert Gitile Naituli has faulted the move by the government to increase taxes.

Naituli termed the move as a ‘Shakahola philosophy’ and instead called on the government to come up with better policies to cushion Kenyans from the already hard economic times they are facing.

He called on the government to ensure there is a 20 per cent difference in salaries between the highest and lowest paid to ensure every Kenyan feels the pinch amid rising cost of living.

He spoke Thursday on NTV press review show

“This idea of taking the pain now tomorrow will be better is a Shakahola philosophy,” he said.

He said Kenyans have lived in poverty since independence hence the reason why they voted in the Kenya Kwanza administration with the hope that things will change as promised during the campaigns.

“When you have the richest people being those who work with the government and not entrepreneurs and producers, then you are manufacturing poverty, and we have been manufacturing this poverty for sixty years,” he said.

Last month, President William Ruto said the new tax measures were non-negotiable, saying they are meant to salvage the struggling economy.

This comes even as the state suffered a big blow after the High Court temporarily stopped the implementation of the Finance Act, 2023, pending a hearing and determination of the case challenging the new legislation.

In the case, Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah and six others had challenged the Act as assented to by President William Ruto on Monday, arguing that it was not taken to the Senate for consideration.

Justice Mugure Thande issued the orders suspending the law which defines taxes charged on commodities and services, saying she was satisfied that the case met the threshold for granting orders.