Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called the housing levy introduced by the government the “worst fraud against Kenyans.”
Speaking at a public event on Monday, Gachagua launched a scathing attack on the Kenya Kwanza administration, accusing President William Ruto and his government of misleading the Kenyan public.
Gachagua’s harsh remarks were directed at the government’s handling of the housing levy and other broken promises.
In his statement, Gachagua challenged President Ruto to reflect on his leadership, telling him to “be an honest man” and “look for a mirror before you talk about corruption.”
The Deputy President went on to assert that the government’s claims of fighting corruption were nothing more than empty rhetoric.
“I have not been associated with any scandal in this country. Your government is full of lies, deceiving the people of Kenya,” Gachagua said, his tone sharp.
He pointed to the government’s failure to fulfill major pledges, including the promise of building 1,000 kilometers of roads in Western Kenya, a promise he claimed had been left unfulfilled.
He continued to accuse President Ruto of engaging in deceptive tactics.
“You wrote a contract with people from Western Kenya, promising 1,000 kilometers of roads, but you haven’t built any,” Gachagua stated.
“Recently, you were opening transformers, pretending to have achieved something. You wanted me to help you deceive Kenyans, but on matters of deceiving the people, I am incompetent.”
Gachagua’s comments come amid growing public outcry over the proposed housing levy, which has faced resistance from various sectors of society.
The levy, which aims to fund the government’s affordable housing initiative, has been criticized for its impact on ordinary citizens, many of whom are already struggling with the high cost of living.
The Deputy President’s fiery remarks are a further sign of the ongoing tension within the ruling coalition, with Gachagua increasingly distancing himself from the actions of his boss, President Ruto.
His comments suggest a rift in the government, with Gachagua positioning himself as a staunch critic of what he describes as the government’s failure to live up to its promises.
As the political drama continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Kenya Kwanza administration will respond to Gachagua’s accusations.
However, his statement has undoubtedly added fuel to the already heated debates surrounding the housing levy and the broader direction of the government.
