Eighty percent of voters in this constituency in the heart of Kenyan tea country voted for William Ruto last August, helping the self-proclaimed champion of destitute “hustlers” win an upset presidential election.
After a year, few Githunguri residents defend him.
Food prices have risen since Ruto became the government. Ruto has also been criticized for raising office and deputy president allocations while lowering petrol subsidies.
A proposal to raise petrol and housing taxes is sparking the greatest outcry yet and energizing an opposition whose protests this year in Nairobi led to police violence.
Parliament will consider the finance bill’s suggestions alongside the finance minister’s 2023-24 budget on Thursday.
Dozens of citizens protested Reuters reporters on Githunguri town’s busy streets.
Waitress Jacqueline Wambui regretted voting for Ruto last August. “The small traders and motorbike riders’ promises have not come true,” she stated.
Ruto’s spokeswoman didn’t comment.
The president and his allies have defended the tax hikes, claiming East Africa’s economic powerhouse needs more cash to avoid a debt catastrophe and fund affordable housing.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s infrastructure projects increased debt to 67% of GDP, and repayments now account for over half of revenues.
Ruto points to his fertilizer delivery to millions of farmers and the “Hustler Fund” micro-loans program as proof of his commitment to aiding the underprivileged.
Little sympathy
Due to low harvests, the Ukraine war, and a weaker home currency, maize flour costs have risen about 30% since Ruto’s victory.
The opposition has capitalized on the bill’s unpopularity, even though Ruto’s allies have a majority in parliament.
Raila Odinga’s coalition, which lost to Ruto last year, will stage further protests if the bill passes.
One unnamed Githunguri resident defended the financial law, saying Ruto aimed to leave his mark by building inexpensive housing.
He spoke alone. Another Ruto voter, fruit dealer John Nyaga, said the tax hikes would reduce his customers’ spending.
“Those extra deductions will not just hit the employed people, they will also translate to us being squeezed,” he said.
