Former Prime Minister and ODM leader Raila Odinga has waded into ongoing taxation row between the government and the Kenyatta family.
According to the ODM party leader, it is wrong for the government of President William Ruto to demand for taxes from the Kenyattas as their wealth is generational and not subject to taxation.
“The law initially only exempted Jomo Kenyatta but when Moi took over, he added his name in 1981. In 1982, the parliament exempted all Kenyans from paying taxes if they inherited land from their parents should they die. That is the law of succession,” said Raila.
Raila further claimed that it was wrong for the government to harass former first lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta as she is a former freedom fighter.
Mama Ngina dares KRA to touch her property over taxes
“Yesterday, Mama Ngina came out to speak on the issue because they really insulted her. She was arrested during Mau Mau and spent time in Kamiti. You have no respect yet she is the age of your grandmother,” said Raila.
The Azimio leader was speaking when he addressed a political rally at Kamukuni Grounds in Kibra. This came a day after Mama Ngina came out in defense of her family’s multi-billion wealth.
Reacting to the accusations, Mama Ngina dared KRA to auction her property if they prove that she has been evading paying taxes.
“Ukikosa kulipa ile unatakiwa kulipa, lazima vitu vyako vitachukuliwa na kuuzwa. Kwa hivyo hakuna haja…hakuna mambo ya kuwaharibia wengine majina ndio watu wasikike eti wanafanya kazi, wanaendesha nchi, hapana,” she said.
Mama Ngina was quoted while speaking at Tewe in Mpeketoni, Lamu West on Saturday.
“Mtu ashtakiwe alipe ile kitu anatakiwa kulipa. Na kama ni mimi, ata nikiwa na mwaka mmoja nimekosea bila kulipa, mali ichukuliwe ilipe ile tax. Kwa hivyo hakuna haja ya kufanya siasa hivi na vile…na watu wanajua hawasemi ukweli, wanataka tu kusema ndio wasikike eti wanataja majina,” she said.
“Naskia mengine nasemwa eti wengine wengine hawatoi kodi. Nashangaa kwa sababu kila mtu anaamka anasema hii na mwingine anaamka anasema hii lakini serikali iko na laini yake ya vile mambo inaendeshwa.”