National Super Alliance (NASA) chief Raila Odinga yesterday drove into a crowd protesting the high cost of living in his Kisumu backyard. The Opposition leader defended President Uhuru Kenyatta for settling on the eight per cent tax on fuel. A section of the crowd that surged to see him as he drove through Kondele, shouted “fuel!” “fuel!” and brandished placards. The Opposition leader had to explain why he stood with Uhuru in the fuel tax stand-off.
He was in Kisumu to preside over the official opening of Unaitas Sacco, Kisumu branch, near Kibuye. He had earlier addressed a business stakeholders’ meeting organised by Unaitas, where he encouraged Kenyans to embrace the culture of saving.
He said the situation was on the verge of spiraling into a crisis if the worrying financial state is not addressed. The NASA chief said they engaged in dialogue with Uhuru to deliberate on the proposals before he decided to rally Opposition MPs to support the tax.
The money the country has been borrowing, he said, has not been used properly. He claimed some of the money had been misused by individuals, with some hidden in foreign banks. Raila said they decided to support the tax, but with conditions, including ensuring that the President streamlines the Government to ensure money is spent responsibly.
“We have given Uhuru one year and some of the things that must be addressed is corruption,” said Raila. He claimed some politicians used the loans the country had been borrowing for personal gains, cautioning leaders against excessive expenditure. “The money that has been hidden in foreign banks must be brought back to the country,” said Raila.
[BUSINESS] Raila runs into protest against tax: Raila, addressing thousands of residents in Kondele and later Kibuye, argued that the Budget had deficits that needed to be filled. https://t.co/VbRsgenJwT
— Breaking News (@News_Kenya) September 25, 2018