Atwoli links Ruto to infamous 1.5 per cent house funding deduction

 

COTU boss Francis Atwoli.

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli has linked Deputy President William Ruto to the 1.5 per cent housing fund deduction.

Atwoli who was speaking during the burial of former Cotu Secretary General Justus Mulei Velle in Kitui West constituency said he advised the government against imposing the levy on Kenyans, but the DP insisted with the tax idea.

“I was at State house when they were discussing the idea and advised the government it will be difficult because Kenyans are broke,” Atwoli said.

The COTU boss claimed in his speech that President Uhuru Kenyatta listened to his advice and even climbed down to 0.5 per cent proposal, but Ruto insisted on the infamous 1.5 per cent.

“The President wanted 0.5%, but his deputy wanted the infamous 1.5%,” he said.

The Labour court has however issued new orders temporarily stopping the government from implementing the 1.5 per cent deduction.

Justice Maureen Onyango issued the order, saying the suspension would allow the consolidation of the current case by Consumers Federation of Kenya (Cofek) with another filed by Cotu in December last year.

In its application, Cofek says it is "unreasonable to force Kenyans who will not secure a house to contribute towards house ownership without corresponding benefits".

It also says the deduction will lead to unjustified over-taxation of Kenyans.

Atwoli and Ruto allies have been on a war-path since the former claimed that the DP will not be in the ballot in the 2022 General Election.

The COTU boss has however defended himself saying he did not wish the DP dead as being reported, but only talked based on facts.

According to him, his message was that Ruto will not be in the next government after a referendum to change the law.

Ruto allies have questioned Atwoli’s claim that the DP will not be on the ballot yet he is not God.

They further called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to investigate the remarks.

DP Ruto responded to Atwoli’s remarks terming them witchcraft.