The Hustler administration seems to be on an urgent mission to raid the pockets of the middle-class and the masses they promised to protect from the excesses of the dynasties less than 90 days ago. The Sh3 trillion tax revenue target for the 2022/23 fiscal year sounds comical. But, with the targets coming from top political leaders in the country, they cannot be wished away as political rhetoric.

It could signal a new dawn for tax increases and it doesn't seem to matter the tax burden already in existence. To these political elites, the end justifies the means. Ironically, the 24-member Cabinet that boasts a total networth of about Sh15.2 billion did not provide tax payment records.

It is not enough for the nominees to simply confirm they have presented a tax compliance certificate to the vetting panel. The tax payers must be given a chance to verify if their leaders have paid their dues in full to Caesar in conformity with their declared wealth. This is the spirit of the constitutional requirements on openness, transparency, accountability and public participation.