Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim has taken a swipe at former Prime Minister Raila Odinga over his recent remarks threatening to ask his supporters to abstain from paying taxes.
Speaking at African Inland Church (AIC) Teldet in Uasin Gishu County on October 30, 2022, the Governor said it is impractical for a country to operate on meaningful development without paying taxes.
He claimed Raila is on a mission to get a handshake from President William Ruto, a move which he said cannot succeed.
The county boss was further categorical that Ruto is a leader who is keen on providing development in all regions without bias.
“I heard the former Prime Minister threaten to tell his supporters to boycott paying taxes, which is the rudeness of the highest order. It is the duty of every Kenyan to pay taxes so that we help build our country,” Chelilim said.
“What he is trying to do is force a handshake. The other time he told us to boycott some companies that they linked with Jubilee and ended up getting the handshake, but he knows with the current government it is impossible to get in,” he added.
According to Chelilim, President Ruto has committed to ensuring every part of the country gets its fair share of development.
Development for all
He now wants the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader to stop issuing threats and allow the government of the day serves the people.
“Let Ruto plan his government. He has already demonstrated that he will work with all. He has no time for hypocrisy,” said the governor.
Speaking on Saturday in his Kisumu bastion, Raila accused the government of forcing leaders in the region to join them as a condition of benefiting from development projects.
He however asked the leaders not to be threatened or intimidated by the government, insisting that it is the constitutional duty of the government to ensure there is development in every part irrespective of political affiliation.
“The national government has the responsibility to carry out certain development projects in all these areas otherwise, we shall tell our people to stop paying taxes,” the ODM leader said.
“Therefore, we don’t have to go to beg the national government for us to get any development,” he added.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has since dismissed Raila’s claim.
Gachagua speaking in Kenol, Murang’a County during a thanksgiving church service said the former Prime Minister should focus on his opposition role.
“They should remain in the opposition to oversight the government by informing us where we are wrong and pushing us in parliament for us to move forward as a country,” Gachagua said.
