Taxation Among 4 Things Uhuru Pointed Out to Ruto During Monday’s Meeting

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, December 9, issued a clarification on the particulars of the meeting with President William Ruto.

Ruto took time to visit his State House predecessor at his home in Gatundu where the two leaders discussed ‘matters of national importance’.

In Ruto’s official statement, the President highlighted Uhuru’s ‘statesmanship in overseeing the peaceful transfer of power’, among other issues.

Notably, Ruto’s official statement detailing the meeting focused on the broader Kenya Kwanza regime and centred around key areas of his government which he was on the same page with Uhuru.

Amid ongoing speculation on the evolving political landscape following Uhuru and Ruto’s meeting, the former President issued a parallel statement on Monday evening, detailing some of the issues he presented to the President.

In a subtle dismissal of any political ties, a statement from Uhuru’s office clarified that “it is normal practice that sitting and former presidents engage and consult on matters on matters of national importance for the benefit of the citizenry.”

Here are four other issues Uhuru tackled head-on which President Ruto did not directly highlight in his statement.

Animosity within political ranks: In his statement, Uhuru revealed he had discussions with Ruto regarding ‘ harassment of individuals perceived to be in opposition or hostile to the government’. Although Ruto’s brief touched on this, it did not delve into the particulars as explained by Uhuru.

Taxation: As per Uhuru’s statement, the former Head of State also brought forth the daunting issue of taxation which has consistently been brought up by ordinary Kenyans, and possible solutions.

Need for a vibrant opposition: Uhuru, in his statement, further highlighted the need for a vibrant opposition, which he believes is key in keeping the current regime in check.

Transparency and accountability: Finally, the former President challenged Ruto to be transparent to Kenyans, saying, “In a democracy sector, practitioners need to be consulted continuously and sustainably because they usually have solutions themselves.”

Finally, Uhuru, in his statement also subtly issued a plea to Ruto to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country.

In both Uhuru and Ruto’s statements, the two leaders agreed on the urgent need for the reconstitution of the IEBC – a process that is being hindered by a pending court case.

The two leaders also agreed that the biting economy could be partly attributed to the changing global environment, which destabilised supply chains and led to high commodity prices, particularly for fertiliser and wheat.

Further, Ruto also expressed gratitude to his predecessor for laying the foundation for implementing Kenya Kwanza’s key agendas which include transforming agriculture to ensure food security, achieving universal health coverage, providing affordable housing and empowering MSMEs.