Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna Blasts Kenyans for Whining All the Time, Says they Pay Less Taxes than People in Europe

Government Spokesperson Col. Cyrus Oguna has told off Kenyans for complaining about high taxes. 

Oguna said Kenyans must stop whining and instead support the government by paying taxes to enable it to meet its obligations such as payment of salaries to civil servants and funding of development projects.

“Serikali haifanyi biashara. Serikali ina jukumu lakuweza kupeana huduma. Kuna polisi, wanajeshi, watumishi wauma kama sisi ambao lazima tulipwe. Kuna barabara, hospitali na shule ambazo lazima ziwepo,” Oguna said during a media briefing on Tuesday.

He was reacting to the ongoing public outcry triggered by the government’s recent decision to hike fuel prices, a move that is expected to increase the cost of living.

Oguna further noted that Kenyans should know that the amount of tax people pay in developed countries in Europe is nothing compared to what they pay.

“The amount of taxes those people in Europe pay is nothing compared to what we are paying here. So we are crying when we should not cry. We should be standing firm and support our government. Let’s not cry all the time,” said Oguna.

His remarks have sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many faulting him for comparing Kenya to developed nations.

@Shikohkihika tweeted: “Someone tell Cyrus Oguna that those countries he is talking about have a stable economy, they value their citizens enough to provide great public services, better healthcare plan, and better money circulation, and they are not being auctioned for debts that were stolen!!”

@BravinYuri said: “Cyrus Oguna doesn't understand that Kenyans have no problem paying taxes but how the taxes are spent is what makes Kenyans complain when any increment is brought forward. If we received services worth the taxes we pay, nobody would complain even if more tax was asked. But mnaiba!”