Leave Uhuru and Mama Ngina Alone, Raila Tells President Ruto

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has come to the defense of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family over accusations of tax evasion.

Odinga accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of unfairly targeting the Kenyatta family, saying President Ruto should have some respect for former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta, who played a role in the struggle for the country’s independence.

“You do not know where Kenya is from. She was arrested and locked up in Kamiti during the struggle for independence. She is in her 80s, why are you insulting her yet she is the age of your grandmother?” Raila posed.

Odinga, who spoke at a public rally in Kibra on Sunday, stated that both President Ruto and Deputy President William Ruto should allow the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to do its work.

“Every day, he (Ruto) talks about taxation, claiming there are people who are not paying what is due to the government. Let KRA do its work. Do not politicize the work of the agency. Even in the Bible, Zachayo the Tax Collector was not doing the things you’re doing,” he stated.

He added: “Leave Mama Ngina alone. Also leave Uhuru Kenyatta alone.”

He went on to explain the genesis of the law that exempted the Kenyatta and Moi families from paying taxes on land.

"The law initially only exempted Jomo Kenyatta but when Moi took over, he added his name in 1981. In 1982,  the parliament exempted all Kenyans from paying taxes if they inherited land from their parents should they die. That is the law of succession," Raila said.

“Tax cheats and all sorts of criminals are with Ruto inside his government as he pretends to look for them outside the government. Ruto promised a government for the poor but unveiled a government of billionaires,” he added.