Nominated MP John Mbadi is accusing President William Ruto of what he describes as lying to Kenyans during his presidential campaigns in the lead-up to the 2022 General Election.

Mbadi who spoke on Citizen TV’s Day Break program on Thursday said Kenyans are frustrated with the escalating cost of living because Ruto instead promised to lower it from where his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, left.

“You must implement your manifesto, but you were not truthful about it. You should have told Kenyans that when you elect us into office, we will implement the housing program by levying 3 per cent of your salaries to finance it. That you didn’t tell Kenyans,” Mbadi said.

President Ruto ascended to power on the platform of lowering the cost of living but eight months into office, Kenya is in a heated debate on the Finance Bill, 2023, which seeks to increase taxation as the Kenya Kwanza government seeks to raise more from Kenyans.

“What Ruto told Kenyans was that Uhuru was overtaxing them and that he will make sure taxes come down. Today, taxes are going up, and you did not communicate that to Kenyans. So, the question is, are you really implementing the manifesto that you sold to Kenyans?” Mbadi posed.

“You were dishonest, you deceived Kenyans and they deserve an apology. Those who voted for you deserve an apology. They are so frustrated because they thought things would be done differently,” he added.

Among the other issues which have elicited debate since Ruto’s assumption into office in September last year are his push for the creation of a chief administrative secretary (CAS), a position that the High Court had declared unconstitutional, despite promising his election would be an economic moment and not a chance for the political class to create positions for themselves.

The Finance Bill 2023 proposes, among others, a 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel and a 3 per cent housing fund which it maintains is not a levy. A petition has already been filed challenging it.

Meanwhile, the 2023/2024 budget is set to be tabled before Parliament on June 15.