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How Ruto's Government was Cornered by the Previous Regime

President William Ruto is in a dilemma. Having been elected on the platform of uplifting the 'hustlers', there's no single move to substantiate his initial argument.

Opposition boss Raila Odinga has every reason to capitalize on Ruto's tax appetite.

The ODM Party Leader alongside his Azimio brigade, mobilized Kenyans to resist the new tax measures. 

Raila read a riot act and asked his supporters to embrace walking to work places to deny the government the hyped fuel tax. 

Did Uhuru Kenyatta leave an empty coffer?

When Ruto took office in September 2022, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua confided that the government was almost broke.

Kenya Kwanza leaders complained that during Uhuru's twilight days as president, his close allies looted from treasury to puncture operations of an incoming government.

Uhuru's last months in office saw the increase in prices of essential commodities, which gave Ruto a leeway to convince Kenyans that it was as a result of Raila Odinga's dalliance with the president that had made life more unbearable to ordinary Kenyans.

Prior to 2022 general elections, Uhuru subsidized maize flour to an affordable cost so as to countenance Ruto's incessant incursions.

However, the reduced flour prices wasn't convincing, as Kenyans voted for William Ruto as their president and denied Raila the chance of leading them.

Increased Cost of Living that has kept Kenyan Hustlers talking

Kenyans continued complaining about increased prices of essential commodities, even after Ruto took office.

The price of maize flour shot from Kshs 150 to Kshs.220. 

Ruto would then argue that it was prudent for his government to subsidize production rather than consumption.

This led to reduced prices of fertilizer as Kenyans continued experiencing increased cost of food products.

Finance Act 2023 was a major blow to Kenyans as Kenya Kwanza government increased fuel levy by 16%. 

The cost of electricity shot by a magical rate as the president defended his appetite to increase the tax rate.

President Ruto argued that he was doing so by reducing Kenya's foreign debt. 

However, this was contrary to the naked truth. The government removed the debt ceiling that had been set by the previous regime.

Ruto found himself in unfamiliar territory after it emerged that for 2023 budget to be fully funded, there was to be extra borrowing as expected onsource revenue is far below the projected amount.

Finance Act 2023 was contested in the High Court by Busia Senator cum activist Okiya Omtata, who successfully secured conservatory orders barring its implementation.

The government through attorney general Justin Muturi signed a notice of appeal at the appellate court. 

Kenyans turned to social media castigating the government over its callous increase of fuel prices and lauded Omtata for saving them.

However, EPRA defied court orders and went ahead revising fuel prices taking into consideration the government proposed fuel levy.

Majority of Kenyans, interviewed by Phode News Hub, regret electing Ruto as their president while a few laud his efforts arguing that for the economy to be fixed there must be a sacrifice.





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