Nairobi — President William Ruto has denied claims that he is promoting development initiatives across the nation to entice Kenyans to vote for him again in 2027.
Speaking during the first Kenya Urban Forum 2023 in Naivasha on Wednesday, the head of state noted that his second term will be meaningless if he won't achieve anything in his first term.
"Many people tell me I should think about my 2nd term. My 2ndterm will be meaningless if my first term achieves nothing. I am not here so that I can have a second term," he said.
Ruto was elected in August 2022 after serving as Deputy President for ten years under former President William Ruto.
"I am here because I want to make a difference. Kenyans have given me an opportunity to make sure we remove slums; create jobs and improve our manufacturing. I am focused on that, 2ndterm will sort itself out," he said.
He added that he is willing to make bold and unpopular decisions including the policy on urbanization and that he will continue to push on the housing levy which has sparked public outcry.
Ruto added that his administration is keen on improving livelihoods and the country's economy, as seven million people living in slums don't have anywhere to go
"The housing levy and the housing fund is a program that is five years behind schedule which should have been a program that was supposed to be rolled out in 2018 but we did not because there has to be a difficult decision to be made," he said.
"They have nowhere. Many people cannot connect the dots between housing and jobs. More jobs will be created through this program. We owe it to them, their dignity, and the well-being of our citizenry and future generations. All our children will be in cities," he said.
On Monday, the National Assembly's Finance and Planning Committee proposed a reduction in the housing levy that is being proposed under the Finance Bill 2023.
The Kimani Kuria-led committee wants the housing levy slashed by half to 1.5 percent from the current recommendation of 3 percent following public outcry.
It is also advising that the levy be deducted from employees and not employers, effective January 2024.
"An amendment that has a huge financial implication, you must find a way of recouping that financial implication so that you are able now to fund a budget otherwise you are going to get into a crisis where we have approved a budget and we have not provided the resources to do it," the Chairman of the NA Finance Committee Kuria said during a public participation hearing in Naivasha over the weekend.
The 2023 Finance Bill, which was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, proposed that 1.5 percent house levy deduction for all salaried Kenyans, with employers matching the same amount for housing projects.
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During the second reading stage of the bill, 257 Members of Parliament took part in the voting, 176 MPs voted in favor while 81 opposed the report.
No lawmaker abstained from the voting.
Having sailed through the second reading stage, it will now proceed to the committee of the whole house where it will be subjected to amendments.
At this stage, the MPs will vote for the bill clause by clause on whether they will adopt the amendments or pass the clauses as proposed by the Finance Bill report.
Once it passes this stage, it bill will proceed to the Third reading which is the final voting.
If the National Assembly approves it, it will be forwarded to President William Ruto for assent.
Members of Parliament were drawn on opposing sides on the first day of the debate over the report on the Finance Bill 2023 despite changes made on contentious clauses in the proposed bill.
