Deputy President William Ruto has alluded that retired President Uhuru Kenyatta was taking advantage of his position to evade taxes.
Speaking in Mombasa, the DP asked the former Head of State not to worry as the government investigates whether he has tax arrears or not.
If found not to have been a faithful taxpayer, Gachagua was categorical that such shall not be forgiven.
However, he said the government was open to negotiating how his tax pile-up should be remitted to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
“Make arrangements on how to pay it and if you have a problem with what we are asking you to pay, we are open to discussion. Come and we will agree on how you can pay in bits, say Ksh1 billion every month until you are done.
“There is no problem and there is no need of making noise. What belongs to God, belongs to God and what belongs to Caesar belongs to Caesar,” he said.
Kenya Kwanza government leaders have accused Uhuru of illegally exempting some people and businesses, including companies owned by his family, from tax payments during his 10-year reign.
However, he dismissed the allegations as “noise”.
“Don’t worry about these people who are making noise, people who have nothing else to do with always make noise. That’s life. We will mind our business,” Uhuru said.
The Deputy President noted that the new administration will be firm and ruthless in revenue collection, adding that no favours will be given to anyone regardless of his/her position or status.
“If you want to be exempted from paying taxes, buy an advert in the newspaper and apply to the people of Kenya. Let those who have not been paying taxes not get jittery.”
