Openly furious Mama Ngina dare Ruto’s administration to go to court, confiscate properties in tax evasion barbs

Debate around claims of tax evasion by unnamed influential personalities by President William Ruto has gushed out of control after an openly furious former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta came out gun blazing in a rare public outburst daring Ruto’s administration to go to court or confiscate properties associated to her family if at all she has ever reengaged on national duty to pay taxes as expected.

In a viral video footage that was captured during a Catholic Church service event in Lamu County yesterday, infuriated Mama Ngina warned against political mudslinging of her family reputation for political expediency.

“If you fail to pay tax, you are taken to court because that is the law. If you do not pay up your required tax your property is forfeited. That is the line tax evasion follows. (Ukikosa kulipa kodi unapelekwa Kotini kwa sababu hiyo ndo sheria. Ukikosa Kulipa ile unatakiwa kulipa lazima mali yako itachukuliwa itauzwa. Ile line ya kufuata ushuru haijalilipwa iko.)” She retorted.

She added: “If it is me who has not paid for even a single year let my property be auctioned to pay that tax because it is a must. There is no need for politicking. It is not true that I have not paid tax and people know they are not saying the truth. There is no need to politicize lies knowing they are lies. (Na kama ni mimi sijalipa ata kwa mwaka moja, mali yangu ichukuliwe ilipe tax kwa sababu ni lazima. Hakuna haja ya kufanya kazi ya kisiasa ya hivi na kule. Na Si kweli kwamba sijalipa tax. Na watu wanajua hawasemi ukweli.)” Mama Ngina lamented.

Speaking on Monday during the National Assembly post-election seminar in Mombasa, Ruto said some people who wielded power in the past used state instruments to exempt themselves from paying taxes.

He, however, did not mention any names but the signs were somewhat clear that the Kenyatta family were on the receiving end of the criticism.

The same day, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Senators led by Nyandarua and Nyeri Senators John Methu and Wahome Wamatinga respectively led politicians in attacking the Kenyatta family accusing them of tax evasion and sponsoring anti-government rallies led by Azimio leader and opposition chief Raila Odinga.

They spoke outside the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) complex.

He said going forward, he will not allow this to continue under his watch.

“The good people who were used to exempting themselves from paying tax, their days are up,” Ruto said.

“Every citizen must pay tax. It doesn’t matter even if they sponsor demonstrations so that they don’t pay tax. I promise them they will pay tax. There is no more exemption,” Ruto added even as his allies accused Kenyatta family of organising demos over the tax issue.

Mama Ngina said it is factual that everyone is required to pay tax but cautioned against dragging people’s names in the mud to be seen to be working.

But owing to the intensity of the onslaught that has been directed at the Kenyatta family, Mama Ngina challenged the state to move to court if their family has not paid tax rather than talking in the media.

“Paying taxes is a must regardless of your societal status, everyone has to pay tax according to their economic strength. That is not something you can discuss in the newspapers or in press conferences. (Mambo ya kodi ni lazima. Mkubwa ama mdogo lazima alipe kodi kulingana na uwezo wake na mapato yake. Hiyo sio kazi ya kuzungumza kwa magazeti na kwa mikutano na kwa TV.)” She stated.

She further said the government should run its affairs within the dictates of the law, adding that the law requires anyone evading tax to be taken to court.

She went on to dare the state to auction her properties in the event she is discovered to have failed to remit her tax obligation.

Mama Ngina said the attacks meted out on her family are unfair and false further challenging the state to come clean on the issue instead of politicking.

Earlier, in a veiled rejoinder to the barrage of attacks directed to his family, retired president Kenyatta while he alongside his former cabinet colleagues while condoling with the family of the late Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha dismissed the assertions as inconsequential and empty political rhetoric.