United Opposition demands SPVs audit

People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

The United Opposition Principals have called on Parliament to exercise its authority and halt what they term the "illegal securitisation" of taxes.

Speaking on Thursday in Nairobi, the leaders demanded an independent audit into all Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) used to manage public resources.

The contentious securitsation model, which enables institutions to raise funds by leveraging predictable future income, has drawn sharp criticism.

Many have likened it to mortgaging the country's future, warning that it poses a complex legal and constitutional crisis that requires urgent scrutiny.

Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Martha Karua, who continued his onslaught on President William Ruto, accused the Head of State of disregarding the Constitution, adding that Ruto's single-term presidency is becoming a reality.

"As the United Opposition, we will not be silenced as the country is auctioned. We will not bow down to intimidation, we will not allow proliferation of fake news and propaganda to define our time, and we will not allow a nation built on liberation to be destroyed by deception," said Kalonzo.

People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua urged the heads of state of the original East African Community countries to speak up on the issues affecting their citizens. She accused the leaders of collaborating to oppress their people.

"It looks like the three original states of East Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, are collaborating to oppress their people; we want their voices telling us whether this is going to stop," Karua said.

The leaders further demanded that the government restore full capitation to schools and publish a clear, time-bound commitment to fund free education.