Cyrus Oguna kicks up a storm with his comment on taxation

Government Spokesperson Col. Cyrus Oguna has kicked up a storm with his comment on the high taxation regime Kenyans are now under.

Speaking at a press briefing this afternoon, Oguna said Kenyans pay relatively lower taxes vis-a-vis the citizens of Europe.

“The amount of taxes those people in Europe pay is nothing compared to what we are paying here. So we are crying when we should not cry. We should be standing firm and support our government. Let’s not cry all the time,” said Oguna.

He justified taxation as the only means of raising revenue or a government. “Serikali haifanyi biashara. Serikali ina jukumu lakuweza kupeana huduma. Kuna polisi, wanajeshi, watumishi wauma kama sisi ambao lazima tulipwe. Kuna barabara, hospitali na shule ambazo lazima ziwepo,” said Oguna.

In the past one week, fuel prices have gone up substantially. The cost of electricity is also expected to go up. These two have substantially increased the cost of living.

Oguna's remarks invited contemptous ridicule on social media, with many commentators blaming the high taxation on corruption.

"The amount of money stolen in Kenya by OUR LEADERS is nothing compared to anywhere in the world," tweeted lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi.

Fellow lawyer Donald Kipkorir however defended Oguna, saying the buck stops with Members of Parliament. "When it comes to fuel tax, they want to hang miserable Cyrus Oguna when it’s MPs who decide what taxes go up or go down."