Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi has lashed out at ODM leader Raila Odinga over his Sh. 6000 a household promise if he wins the presidency next year, saying the former prime minister’s pledge was unrealistic.
Speaking on Sunday at the Quakers Friends International Centre on Ngong Road in Nairobi, the ANC leader accused Raila of lying to the voters, but if the pledge is met, it will lead to the former premier’s regime raising taxes on Kenyans to get the funds.
”You are promised a social welfare economy model by getting 6K, where is that money going to come from? This is a lie to lure voters, but it cannot be implemented and if it’s achieved then tax will be increased on you Kenyans,” Mudavadi said.
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Adding: ”As we approach the next general elections, we must give this country what is good, we must not be convinced by handouts, bribery or by sweet words from politicians who promise you things that are practically impossible.”
The ODM boss pledge will cost taxpayers at least Sh137 billion.
”As I declared a few days ago, I am looking forward to a government that shall embark on a direct cash transfer programme to the two million poorest households in the country going forward.This initiative will integrate the current social protection programme on which we already spend Sh37 billion. We would add about Sh100 billion to this and expand it to include the poorest of the poor among Kenyans,” Raila Odinga said last month in Nairobi, while also dismissing claims his cash transfer program will see Kenyans overtaxed.
”The additional funds would be redirected from various ministries that will take a 25 percent budget cut to ensure its smooth implementation. The budget cuts would be followed by an even wider rationalisation aimed at transferring government services to the poor and towards assisting the private sector – SMEs in particular – to grow and prosper.”
