NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 1 – Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei is now proposing to amend Estate Duty Act to delete a provision that protects former Presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi’s Estates from tax exemption.
In a letter to the Clerk of the Senate, Cherargei describes the law as an ‘illegal relic and unconstitutional’ because the two former presidents were State Officers by virtue of the positions they held.
“The constitution 2010 is aimed at creating equality & equity in the payment of taxes in Kenya. This proposed amendment of Section 7(3) of the Estate Duty Act shall cure this unconstitutional illegal legislation and allow Kenyans to be treated equally before the law,” states Cherargei.
He is proposing to have people with disabilities, minorities, and the marginalized to enjoy the exemption instead.
‘This section shall not apply to H.E Mzee Jorno Kenyatta or to H.E Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi” be replaced by inserting the following words: ” that this section shall not apply to the disabled, minorities and marginalized as provided by the relevant law.’
Legislators from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance have been attacking former President Uhuru Kenyatta claiming that he was keen on evading payment of taxes.
The former President on Tuesday dismissed the Government’s plan to go after him over tax evasion, saying he is not bothered by “noise”.
He shrugged off the remarks by Kenya Kwanza allied politicians as empty noise on the issue.
President Ruto kick off the debate on alleged tax evasion by wealthy individuals on Monday he claimed opposition protest rallies are being financed by people who were keen on evading payment of taxes.
“Even if they sponsor demonstrations so that they don’t pay tax, I want to promise them that they will pay tax. There are no more exemptions. This country is not an animal farm, where some are more equal than others.”
“We are going to have a society where every citizen carries their fair share of our burden. I am not talking about additional taxes that have been agreed upon by Parliament and signed into law,” President Ruto told an MPs post-election retreat in Mombasa.
About The Author
