Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto has revealed his government’s plan, which is to increase tax from 14% to 22%.

Speaking via a video shared online by Citizen Kenya, President said the Government plans to increase the average tax rate in the nation from the current 14 percent to 16 percent, with the goal of reaching a rate of 20 to 22 percent by the end of his term in office.

“My drive is to push Kenya; possibly this year we will be at 16% from 14%. I want, in my term, God willing, to leave it at between 20 and 22%.

In as much as the President knows this will not be taken lightly by Kenyans he insists that his plan is to bring in a new change.

“It’s going to be difficult; I have a lot of explaining to do. People will complain, but I know finally they will appreciate that the money we borrow from the World Bank is savings from other countries.” Ruto shared.

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Why President Ruto Plans to Increase Tax

President Ruto reinstated that when he was first getting into power, he made a promise, and he is living it.

According to him, His Government will not going to keep borrowing, and his focus will entirely be on working to reduce the high debt that the country has accumulated over the years.

“When I came into the office, I told everybody to tighten up their belts… I am not going to preside over a bankrupt country. I’m not going to preside over a country in debt distress. We have to cut our spending. And there is no free lunch.

Kenyans have been socialized to believe that they pay the highest taxes, but empirical data shows that as of last year, our tax as a percentage of our revenues was 14%. Our peers on the continent have an average of between 22 and 25 percent, which means our taxes are way below those of our peers.” Ruto shared.