Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama dismisses tax hike claims

Machakos, Kenya: Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama has dismissed as misleading allegations by Jubilee politicians that passing of the Okoa Kenya referendum will increase the tax burden for Kenyans.

Addressing mourners at a burial in Matungulu constituency at the weekend, Muthama said the additional money being lobbied for was already available with the national government and only requires a law to ensure counties benefit from it.

“Do not accept the lies being peddled by those opposed to the referendum that it will result to increased tax burden for citizens. This money is already being held in Nairobi and we only require a referendum to be passed to ensure it trickles down to the counties,” said Muthama.

Same language

Muthama reiterated that CORD’s resolution to call for a referendum was triggered by Jubilee Government’s blatant refusal for dialogue to iron out what he termed as critical challenges facing citizens.

The senator expressed confidence that there will be a point on convergence between the Okoa Kenya campaign pushed by CORD and the Pesa Mashinani initiative by the Council of Governors (CoG).

“In fact both the CoG and CORD are speaking the same language, only that they are pursuing different routes to arrive at the same destination. But we shall converge somewhere and drive the agenda as a united force,” he said.