Former presidential aspirant Jimmy Wanjigi has cautioned President Ruto from preying on Mama Ngina Kenyatta in the current tax evasion feuds.
While speaking at a church service at the Power of Faith Church International in Kiambu county on February 5, the Safina party leader described Ruto’s move to target Mama Ngina as a live wire.
According to Wanjigi, the push and pull the Kenya Kwanza government is doing to the Kenyatta family’s assets goes to show that even the properties owned by other Mt Kenya leaders are not safe either.
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“Going after Mama Ngina and the late Jomo Kenyatta you are now touching a live wire. Because if you are trying to take away Mzee Jomo’s property, it means our properties are not even safe,” said Wanjigi.
He asked the President to take up the tax feuds with former Head-of-state Uhuru Kenyatta, who is around to defend himself, unlike his father the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, who cannot address the matter. He also asked the President to avoid getting Mama Ngina tangled up in his political rivalry with former President Uhuru.
“Former president Jomo Kenyatta is no longer with us and he should not be dragged into this tax debate. I know you have a problem with Uhuru and you should face him directly instead of going after the whole family,” said Wanjigi.
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Only days ago, Mama Ngina Kenyatta came out to confront the issue, claiming that the government should sell her property if she does not adhere to tax payment regulations.
“Paying income tax is compulsory for everyone in the country. This is not an issue that should be spoken about in the newspapers, meetings, or on TV because paying tax is a must lest one is taken to court.”
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President Ruto had earlier instigated a crackdown by the Kenya Revenue Authority to bring to light all tax evaders, including 300 firms that were linked to former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime. According to some leaders in the Kenya Kwanza government, Uhuru has been enjoying tax waivers at the expense of the common mwananchi.
