As Kenyans from different walks of life cry foul over the tough economic times and the high taxation, UDA leaders from Rift Valley seem to encourage the government to even tax Kenyans harder in an attempt to reduce external borrowing.
The North Rift region’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party leaders have defended the government’s high taxation, claiming that it will solve the borrowing problem.
Massive borrowing and external debts, according to the leaders, have pushed the country into an ailing economy.
The leaders who spoke at a thanksgiving ceremony at Emboasis secondary school, led by West Pokot senator Julius Murgor, said that external debts have caused hard economic times and burdened taxpayers.
The leaders have thrown their weight behind the proposed three percent housing fund, claiming that people at the bottom require resources and infrastructure for production and that the finance bill should be passed as it is.
“The finance bill will provide for the tax that will be used to cater to the needs of people at the bottom,” he said.
This comes as the country’s risk of debt distress increased from ‘high’ to significant’ after failing to meet four of six key debt sustainability indicators.
Murgor stated that by improving revenue collection, the country will avoid a worsening public debt crisis.
“We may not borrow but we shall build schools and roads. We want to ease the burden of our people from a lot of debts. We should not borrow money for infrastructure to construct roads, railways, and hospitals. We want to be independent so that the country can’t collapse. Having many debts is not healthy,” he noted.
