Government Spokesperson Col. Cyrus Oguna has told off Kenyans for complaining about high taxes.
Oguna said Kenyans must stop whining and instead support the government by paying taxes to enable it to meet its obligations such as payment of salaries to civil servants and funding of development projects.
“Serikali haifanyi biashara. Serikali ina jukumu lakuweza kupeana huduma. Kuna polisi, wanajeshi, watumishi wauma kama sisi ambao lazima tulipwe. Kuna barabara, hospitali na shule ambazo lazima ziwepo,” Oguna said during a media briefing on Tuesday.
He was reacting to the ongoing public outcry triggered by the government’s recent decision to hike fuel prices, a move that is expected to increase the cost of living.
Oguna further noted that Kenyans should know that the amount of tax people pay in developed countries in Europe is nothing compared to what they pay.
“The amount of taxes those people in Europe pay is nothing compared to what we are paying here. So we are crying when we should not cry. We should be standing firm and support our government. Let’s not cry all the time,” said Oguna.
His remarks have sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many faulting him for comparing Kenya to developed nations.
@Shikohkihika tweeted: “Someone tell Cyrus Oguna that those countries he is talking about have a stable economy, they value their citizens enough to provide great public services, better healthcare plan, and better money circulation, and they are not being auctioned for debts that were stolen!!”
@BravinYuri said: “Cyrus Oguna doesn’t understand that Kenyans have no problem paying taxes but how the taxes are spent is what makes Kenyans complain when any increment is brought forward. If we received services worth the taxes we pay, nobody would complain even if more tax was asked. But mnaiba!”
Norwegians pay 60% income…
Norwegians pay 60% income tax on the salary earned! I lived there and I’m talking from a personal experience! I think Kenyans have a build in ability to Winn and complain over Dudley nothing! Ya, tell them Colonel, pay your damn taxes!
Context, dude…context…
Context, dude…context. What do Norwegians get for 60% tax? Do parents have to dig deeper in their pockets for school fees? Do their hospitals function? Are their roads passable? Just because Kenyans pay little tax they shouldn’t complain when its stolen, right?
The problem is people like…
The problem is people like you always wanting to get free stuff! You don’t even know what Norway offers but you are talking nonsense! Norway has a huge oil trust fund which they don’t spend! Kenya does not have such a thing! Pay your damn taxes and stop whining like a little kid latching on some breast!
Ok, genius, if they have a …
Ok, genius, if they have a ‘huge oil trust fund which they don’t spend’, I suppose they either borrow money from you for whatever services they offer, or may be they pay for it with 60% tax… May be you aren’t too smart after all.
Glad you realized the guy is…
Glad you realized the guy is a genius at last! You seem not to understand small things @ben! What is wrong with you; dummy!
YOU have to ask a norwegian…
YOU have to ask a norwegian how they fill. No norwegian sleep outside because they don’t have money health care is catered for and others so you are the one not clever . just ask the norwegians they have not complained
Amen @Loise! The dummy here…
Amen @Loise! The dummy here keep lecturing us while he does not know what he is talking about! Lipa hio kodi!
Bwana Oguna, wanasiasa wa…
Bwana Oguna, wanasiasa wa Kenya wanapata mishahara sawa na ile kutoka nchi zilizoendelea. Their specialties in no particular order ni wizi, ufisadi, vurugu na ghasia za jumla. Why do Kenyans have to pay more for stupid ideas, thieving politicians and really bad governance. Fix the government first.
The problem is not only the…
The problem is not only the high taxes it is the lack of services and outright highhandedness of these so called government officials.How dare you compare us to Europe where they have roads, a racist but reliable police and by that I mean when you call 911 someone shows while in Kenya they tell you the car is out of gas and even when the culprits are caught you will be lucky if you get a fair trial.Finally there is something called social assistance food banks and free healthcare.In Kenya you have no money you cannot eat the Matatus pitisha or tukana you and even throw you for not having money to get to wherever you are going.The few Kenyans who have jobs cannot be expected to pay for the majority who do not because the MPIGS reserve them for their relatives.This Cyrus person needs a dose of reality tafadhali punguza shisha
The so-called Colonel was a…
The so-called Colonel was a classmate of kina “eng” Raila,”dr” “bishop”Wanjiru,”dr” “bishop” Ngari,”dr’Ruto,Joho,Sonko,Waititu,Kabogo etc.How can he compare Kenya with rich countries with 90% tarmaced roads.Oguna spoke the opposite of his boss,Uhuru who recently confessed being IN-CHARGE of 60% or shs 720b looting of taxpayers money per year.Oguna is talking about countries where no one is above the law but Uhuru leads other thugs in bribing councilors with 2m.each to pass BBI to enable them EAT properly.
This is a ridiculous…
This is a ridiculous comparison. How much do these European countries make,or draw in as revenue? Atleast be sensible enough,and compare their GDP,and GNP to Kenya’s. Imbecile remarks such as”…sisi ambao lazima tulipwe”, irks many Kenyans.And only illustrates that this lazy bum is there just to collect apaycheck .
Corruption is what hinders our progress,not our tax rates.I might add ineffective workers like this nut here to the list of what retards our progress.Does he really possess credential fit for a government spokesman?And of course we know how that works in Kenya,Nchi ya kitu kidogo.
Why are complaining @maxiley…
Why are complaining @maxiley? Are you not paying taxes in Florida? Sales tax there is 8%! Why do you tune up your folks back home not to pay taxes! People have paid taxes since the early BC all the way to Arnal Domino! What are your credentials since you pay taxes daily!? Does the shop keeper ask you to write a thesis of your credentials every time you pop up at the Corner liquor store every time you show up to buy Jim Beam? And a fifth of Bull Schlites? Ghee @maxiley – where is the ? beef dude? Or you are just talking pure baloney here!
Please re-read my post…
Please re-read my post carefully. There is no sentence there in that tells people not to pay tax.Is there?My beef is this fellow comparing Kenya’s tax rate to other countries, without other economic data.
How do you know he did not…
How do you know he did not have the data! Jacked up assumption which is 99.999% wrong! The colonel said othe eu countries pay more taxes than Kenyans! Precisely true to the facts!
You said Iam complaining…
You said Iam complaining about tax.No, the issue I have is with that limited comparison,as though our GDP,and GNP are equal, if they are then thats fine.
low earners get refund of…
low earners get refund of taxes they pay i.e in the Netherlands they assess what you need to live on . TAXES ARE HIGH IN KENYA to our standard and if the tax money was not being stolen and would be put back to the public i.e improving hospital conditions, improving roads modernizing transport i.e why did we not plan for electric trains within the city of Nairobi instead we are destroying trees and buildings to build the so called bypasses this will improve ZERO developed /developing countries are going green US we only look for projects which we think we can steal money from. revival of Nairobi -Nanyuki railway in centries old rails only one train at a time means per day 1 train how will the costs be recovered. how much have been stolen in the name of low cost transport. it takes a FULL DAY TO TRAVEL FROM NANYUKI TO NAIROBI AND VICE VERSA . UHURU SHAME ON YOU!!
The colonel is doing a…
The colonel is doing a comparative analysis of what other countries pay as compared to the Kenyan tax payers! What is so difficult fir you to understand that simple fact? Then he tells you to stop whining because they are others who pay more taxes than Kenyans! Is he right or is he not?
The tax-to-GDP ratio is a…
The tax-to-GDP ratio is a measure of a nation’s tax revenue relative to the size of its economy.
This ratio is used with other metrics to determine how well a nation’s government directs its economic resources via taxation.
Developed nations typically have higher tax-to-GDP ratios than developing nations.
As you can see, my point is that there is no use comparing a third world country like Kenya to the developed nations of the world.
I rest my case.
@maxiley, si wewe ulikataa…
@maxiley, si wewe ulikataa Kuwa Askari na ukatoroka Huku America? Sasa wewe shinda ni gani? Si wewe utulie na sisi hapa tulipe Kondi ya mwenyewe na ya mwene nyumba? AMA Sindio? Sasa wewe kila saa unasema mambo ya gdp na gnp!Hio ni nini Kijana muzungu!? Si watoto Lazima wapate chapati? Kama wewe sungura mjaja, si ukunje hapa nyumbani utengeneza haya mambo? Shinda ni gani!?
Tulia wewe!!!
Huyu msichana @Maxiley…
Huyu msichana @Maxiley anaonewa kila Wakati juju ya gnp (grace, Nancy, na Pamela) lakini hataki kulipapeas ya wenyewe! Si yeye yuko na shinda Zake mwenyewe!? @maxiley, wacha hio erembo na utembee huko mjini Ulorogist kondi ya serikali yetu tujufu! Sisi ni watu wa Siriku!! Wewe Mbaya sana! Ati unasema Colonel wetu ni mjinga na Hajui! Kwenda huko! Afande Sir!!
@maxiley – what is strange…
@maxiley – what is strange about a man asking to be paid for working hard? Don’t you get paid using some money paid by the tax payers in Florida, USA? Is that imbecile that you get paid? Just wondering!?
You are talking nonsense…
You are talking nonsense. Governments that tax also give services. Kenya is the opposite, you tax to steal. How can you add prices during a pandemic? What services do you provide? Tell us you are looking for money to fund the BBI campaign. You want to add more political positions. Is that why you are raising taxes? Kenya is an African country. Stop comparing it to developed countries. Anyway when you steal and become rich, you forget the poverty and it’s accompanying pain of your parents and siblings.
Crass ignorance or sheer…
Crass ignorance or sheer stupidity or both.
I won’t mind paying the kind of taxes paid for example in the Scandinavian countries if the government provides the following:
1. Education from pre school to university.
2. Medical care from cradle to grave.
3. Guaranteed running water in every household in the country.
4. Peace and security in the country.
5. Corruption free country.
6. Clean paved streets countrywide
7. Less politics
8. Guaranteed housing for senior citizens.
Is that enough or you want some more?
Sorry @Mwangi! You just…
Sorry @Mwangi! You just sound like a dirty goat roper! You tell your other Kenyans to stop crimes we won’t need everyone blaming others for bad things you do! Did you see Uhuru coming to break your shack!? Take a few kokoto with the wheelbarrow Ruto dropped at your door steps, run to the quarry to pick up kokoto and fix the road to your house! That is the backward life a whole DP is introducing to you and now you want to reverse back to Stone Age era! Less politicking? Ruto been running his dirty mouth and talk are salivating for his aimless nonsense! Should anyone build his or her house!? Just move to the kanju next to you – it is free if you can find one. Did you say corruption? What did y’all do with Arrow and Kimwerer dam money!? Tell ndindi Nyoro the rest of what you want for free! He will get it for you from your big thief Ruto!
Did you understand what…
Did you understand what Mwangi was talking about? Please read his comments again before you blabber.
Ok blabber motor mouth …
Ok blabber motor mouth @mwangi! What were you talking about know it all? Why don’t you explain yourself since you nonsense that no one understands! You think it is so sweet for people to keep reading it?
One more time
It’s our civic…
One more time
It’s our civic duty to pay taxes.
The government is obligated to provide services to its citizens.
Which one of these didn’t you understand.
Ignoranus. Ps ignorant asshole.
Is that all of the insults…
Is that all of the insults you know @mwangi! I will snap off that little “thing” you got between your wobbly legs and stuff it right in your ? lip sticked mouth, you fool! You better keep your mouth shut like the he-goat’s ass! Magaa wa kula muratina wewe! Wewe kubafu na mafi ya kundule na Kuku!
One more time. I can…
One more time. I can understand English is not your first language. That’s why I try to use basic phrases and vocabulary. So, don’t insult me for expressing my thoughts about the subject at hand.
I still think you and Methu are ignoranuses. Ie. ignorant assholes.
Your damn name @mwangi is…
Your damn name @mwangi is not synonymous with the English language you pretty boy, the son of the Queen of England! Shame of you you small anus!
Huyu Mwangi ana pweka pweka…
Huyu Mwangi ana pweka pweka Kama Fisi huko musituni, na halipi taxes! Ana amuka tu akisikio ndururu ikianguka akiwa maiti ya marehemu! Wacha ufala na kutukana wengineo wewe @mwangi!
I dont think any citizen…
I dont think any citizen would have a problem with paying taxes as long as its used properly.But the problem with our beloved country most of that money ends up in few individuals pockets
What else do you expect from…
What else do you expect from a military mouth. Zero on education and emotional connectivity
It is not good to be a…
It is not good to be a stupid fella! Stop insulting the Colonel for shaping you up! What education do you have yourself? Nothing!
Hey jeshi man the colonel…
Hey jeshi man the colonel did a huge slip of tongue. He’s just projected what is in the boss crackhead mind. As 4 me yeah I have a bachelor and 2 masters. I’m a happy camper. I respect educated and respectful military minds
Really you bustard! Have you…
Really you bustard! Have you ever served in any capacity in any military branch? Why don’t you take your fake degree to fight fir Kenya in Somalia? We do not eat you papers you fool!
@ ole cool ya jets. Stronger…
@ ole cool ya jets. Stronger minds don’t respond with insults. Oguna isn’t addressing military but civilians in a democracy. He’s paid by taxpayers that he must respect. Me and many are against Uhuru militarization of civilian affairs. If he can’t handle the heat just like badi he must go back to barracks forthwith. We are not a Uganda or Iraq. Kenya independence and democracy wasn’t won by military but armed and unarmed civilians paid a huge price. Respect is paramount.
Uhuru has militarized the…
Uhuru has militarized the workforce because all of you with fake and stolen degrees from hell have refused to work and you think Kenyans owe your skinny ass everything! That is the problem here. Doesn’t Ruto who has a stolen PhD refused to work except stealing everything and dishes silly boys like you with damn wheelbarrows like it’s in the 16th century? Wake hio makaratisa yako kwa Choo itumiwe wiping huko nyuma. You never paid any taxes and you are running your dirty ass here! Shut up!
Wetembi. Its terribly wrong…
Wetembi. Its terribly wrong to assume military are better than civilians in leadership. Yes I understand why Uhuru trusts them more but illegal charcoal trade in Somalia by Kdf hangs over them, their own funds are not audited by auditor general and to join Kdf one must pay 200k. Not all civilians are corrupted.
99.9999% of civilians are…
99.9999% of civilians are very corrupt and are not committed to national building; you included! You can whin all you wish but Uhuru will pick the best to run the country, and you are not one of them among the pack!
Ok, you are nothing more…
Ok, you are nothing more than a Ngati. You and your entire family fought against those who fought for Kenya’s independence! The colonial al masters gave you flowery head clothes to kill those who fought them. Did you not sell your own sister to them white killers to get favors?
Now you are here lying like a dog to take the credit for something you were fighting against! How smart is that @some funny ass name?
Ciro congrats on your…
Ciro congrats on your insults. Learn history and attitude
Wasn’t your own mother…
Wasn’t your own mother married as a concubine to a white settler as you all sold other Kenyans as slaves!? Is that the history you are asking @ciro to learn? Your attitude sucks by the way! @ moto fire, coma. Jiko.
Most Kenyans don’t support…
Most Kenyans don’t support the Kenya government.
It’s time for a regime change.
The Colonel – The only one…
The Colonel – The only one man with the courage to tell Kenyans on National TV that they whin a lot! It is good to be truthful for once! Congratulations Colonel! The truth will set all Kenyans free! Now let’s get it on and pay the due taxes!
NB: Even my friends living in America are just whining here to hoodwink the truth! I tell them pay the damn taxes on those investments you have in Kenya!