'You are making our people poorer,' Joho says over taxes

ODM Deputy Party Leader and former Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho criticized national leaders on Sunday, accusing them of playing a significant role in sabotaging the country's economy.

He stressed that leading the nation requires clear, attainable vision and sober minds.

Speaking at Ummu Kulthum Mosque during Eid-ul-Adha prayers, Joho condemned current leaders for prioritizing self-interest over the well-being of Kenyans.

He stressed the need for unity to alleviate the high cost of living rather than exacerbating it.

Joho called for Members of Parliament (MPs) to advocate for the Kenyan people instead of contributing to economic sabotage.

He urged them to move beyond rigid party lines and listen to the public’s needs.

Joho highlighted that governments globally are expected to facilitate business growth, not hinder it.

He criticized legal actions leading to business closures, accusing those responsible of contributing to economic sabotage.

"You are making our people poorer every day," he asserted, questioning the intentions behind such actions.

He called on the government to empower citizens to grow their businesses. Citing statistics, he noted the disparity between new business openings and closures, attributing it to the current economic policies.

Joho urged President William Ruto and MPs to act faithfully on behalf of the people who elected them, emphasizing the importance of rejecting the Finance Bill, 2024.

He warned that the bill’s passage would lead to further business closures, affecting the survival of many Kenyans.

Nominated UDA Senator Miraj Abdillahi responded by defending the government's efforts to spur national development.

Speaking in Likoni, where she distributed meat to families, Abdillahi accused opposition leaders of criticizing tax policies without acknowledging the benefits, such as increased NG-CDF allocations and higher county funding.

She challenged opposition leaders to reveal their contributions to reducing the cost of living and protecting Coastal residents from eviction threats.

Abdillahi insisted that tax revenues are not misused for personal gain but are necessary for increased governmental spending.

Accusing opposition MPs of hypocrisy, Abdillahi urged them to focus on representing their constituents instead of merely criticizing national tax policies.

"It's hypocritical to claim the national government is only increasing taxes," she stated.