Parliamentary Service Commissioner Johnson Muthama has strongly criticized Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio la Umoja party, for advocating a boycott of tax payments in Kenya. Muthama emphasized that paying taxes is a fundamental patriotic duty and cautioned that boycotting such payments would hinder the efficient delivery of public services. In a statement on June 28, Muthama called on Kenyans to support President William Ruto in revitalizing the economy, particularly since the Finance Bill 2023 had been assented to.
Muthama urged citizens to give the government time to turn the economy around, emphasizing that it would only be possible if everyone played their role in nation-building. He criticized protests (“maandamano”) as regressive and harmful to the future of the country. Furthermore, Muthama appealed to the government to close any loopholes that could lead to corruption and mismanagement of public resources.
The former UDA National Chairman also called upon leaders to adopt a more considerate approach and engage in bipartisan discussions for the benefit of all Kenyans. He pleaded with leaders to set aside their rigid positions and prioritize the interests of the people, recognizing that Kenya had only one country and it was crucial to protect its well-being.
Raila Odinga, on the other hand, had urged Kenyans to disobey the “Kenya Kwanza” regime following President Ruto’s approval of the Finance Bill 2023. Raila warned that those who shared Ruto’s perspective would learn a painful lesson and face consequences for tampering with the people’s access to essential necessities such as food, fuel, and freedom.