Gachagua Gives Uhuru Tough Alternative In Tax Exemption

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has reiterated that former President Uhuru Kenyatta and every other Kenyan must pay tax.

Speaking during a meeting with senators in Mombasa on Thursday, February 2, Gachagua, in response to Uhuru, stated that he was not a special case and was required to pay tax like everyone else.

Adding that neither he nor President William Ruto had the power to exempt any individual from paying taxes, Gachagua offered Uhuru a way out from paying taxes, though a difficult one that costs a lot of money.

"It doesn't matter how far it goes...nobody will be exempted from paying tax in this country. If you want to be exempted from paying taxes, buy an advert in the newspaper and apply to the people of Kenya.

"Let those who have not been paying tax not get jittery," he added.

Some newspapers, for example, the Daily Nation, charge about Ksh157,000 for a quarter-page advert in the national paper and over Ksh580,000 for a full-page advert.

Gachagua further invited the former Head of State for talks over a tax repayment plan, noting that he was aware of the huge amount of unpaid taxes owed by some individuals.

"Make arrangements, and pay it and if you have a problem with what we are asking you to pay, we are open to discussion. Come, and we will agree on how you can pay in bits, say Ksh1 billion every month until you are done.

"There is no problem and there is no need of making noise. What belongs to God belongs to God, and what belongs to Ceasar belongs to him," he added.

The DP also trolled Uhuru's government, stating that the Ksh202 million that was seized from him after his bank accounts were frozen over corruption cases was returned to him.

Meanwhile, he urged all lawmakers to work with the current government, with him clarifying that he was an easy-going guy compared to how social media and media houses portrayed him.

"Sometimes we make very serious pronouncements out there and that depends on the circumstances. Today we have no reason to say anything acrimonious but that does not tire us that if situations change, we will not comment," he joked.

On January 31, Uhuru responded to calls from the Kenya Kwanza government to have his family and former President Daniel arap Moi's family pay taxes including land rates, stating that he was unbothered by the noise politicians were making concerning him and was minding his own business.