Azimio leader Raila Odinga has stated that the cost of living and levels of taxation were highest during President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza regime in Kenya’s 60 years history.

In his new year statement released on December 31, Raila explained that 2023 has ended, the same way it started with difficulties as Kenyans struggle with the high cost of living.

“The year 2023 has ended the way it started; with difficulties that include the highest cost of living and levels of taxation never witnessed in our 60 year history as a country,” Raila noted in a statement. 

Raila added that nowadays, Kenyans have to crosscheck and double check whatever the government says because the Kenya Kwanza regime has made lying a tool for governing.

“We are in distress as we cross into the New Year. The distress is unraveling uncomfortably and uncontrollably,” stated Raila.

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Raila said that Kenyan families in 2023 struggled with record-high price inflation, with the price of groceries, petroleum products, and other essentials out of control as a result of taxes. 

“This is the period that has seen the highest rate of tax on salaries from 30 per cent to 35 per cent, a new 1.5 per cent housing tax, a 2.75 percent hospital insurance fund levy, a 3 per cent turnover (gross sales) tax on small businesses and a doubling of taxes on fuel to 16 per cent, among others,” read part of Raila’s statement.

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According to Raila, the Kenya Kwanza administration cares nothing about the financial wellbeing of Kenyan families and businesses.

At the same time, the Azimio leader accused President Ruto of failing to support the free and compulsory education in the country.

“That dedicated support for free and compulsory education has stopped under Kenya Kwanza. It is happening unannounced,” said Raila. 

According to Raila, the Kenya Kwanza regime was planning to remove the school fees subsidy that was started in 2002 by former President Mwai Kibaki (now deceased).

READ ALSO: William Ruto is not my President, says Martha Karua 

In a statement, the Azimio leader explained that the Ministry of Education was misusing funds meant for schools at a time when most schools were struggling with unpaid bills.

In addition, Raila emphasized that teachers were struggling with running of schools due to inefficiency, corruption and nepotism at the Ministry of Education.