Raila Sounds Alarm on Ruto's Taxes and Foreign Policies

Azimio leader Raila Odinga on Friday expressed concern that President William Ruto's actions are leading the nation astray, based on recent troubling incidents.

During a speech at the Catholic University Auditorium in Nairobi, where he gathered his supporters in preparation for Jamuhuri Day, Raila highlighted the worrisome errors that occurred during the recent 2023 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams. Additionally, he expressed his belief that the prevailing high taxes and stringent monetary policies under the current regime demonstrate a lack of understanding between Ruto and the ordinary citizen. Making no direct mention of the president or other government figures, Raila asserted that educated Kenyans are being sent abroad to undertake menial jobs.

"We need a generation of leaders who stand firm on the solid rock of values and who can tell when the nation is taking the wrong turn. From where I stand, and at my age, I know the country is taking a wrong turn when a 14-year-old child has to go to court to seek Justice over KCPE marks. Kenya is failing her children," he said.

Raila cautioned about the potential brain drain caused by this practice and urged the government to prioritize the creation of job opportunities within Kenya instead of promoting overseas employment for unemployed Kenyans. He stated that due to higher taxes, an increase in unemployment, and the presence of unsympathetic leadership, Kenya has witnessed a considerable decrease in national confidence. He asserted that Previously regarded as a proud and confident nation, Kenyans were renowned for their dedication to not seeking employment abroad, even at esteemed institutions like the United Nations.

“Our children are struggling to get farm jobs in Israel, house helps in Saudi Arabia, and security personnel in Qatar and the president is looking for their jobs there, to become hires," the ODM leader said.

However, this sentiment has since shifted with current research revealing that as many as 54 per cent of Kenyans now harbour a desire to move away from their native land. In light of this development, President Ruto and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection have unveiled a strategy to send unskilled workers to Israel's agricultural fields. According to the government, around 1,500 openings are up for grabs, promising a fixed monthly net income of Ksh228,000 (USD 1500) and three-year renewable contracts.