Karen Nyamu's nomination has spurred discussion regarding the nation's protests against high taxes.
Nyamu addressed concerns about the increase in taxes in an interview with NTV, claiming that most demonstrators who voice their disapproval of the high taxes neither have an income nor are subject to taxes.
"Those making the loudest noise about taxes do not even have an income or salary. I don't know if you know that. Those who do not have a salary do not get taxed anything. They only hear that taxes are being paid and make noise about it," Nyamu said.
Nyamu continued by outlining the fundamentals of the tax policy of the Kenya Kwanza government, asserting that it follows the bottom-up economic paradigm.
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Pesa ya bet ni tamu kama pesa ya chali yangu 🤑 Arsenal inakua career sasa ni kuweka weka tu pic.twitter.com/KbxY4k4NgP
— Karen Nyamu (@karennyamunbo) October 9, 2023
She argued that because top earners in the country pay the bulk of the taxes, they should be pushing back against them.
"Bottom-up means that those with the biggest salary are the ones who are supposed to be complaining because we have seriously been hit by taxes," she stated.
"We feel it is a huge difference. Taxes have been reduced on Jua Kali; SMEs hold our economy together. That sector is not being taxed, and the burden is shifted to the big salaried individuals,"
Nyamu emphasized the corruption problem in managing tax collections while recognizing the significance of taxes for the country's development, both in Kenya and internationally.
Masaa ni ya kuwekelea bet. Arsenal vs Man city leteni predictions. Arsenal inapiga mtu ngapi leo!!!!! pic.twitter.com/z5vQBS5v0N
— Karen Nyamu (@karennyamunbo) October 8, 2023
Corruption in Kenya is the issue. Because a small number of people keep the money after taxes, she said.
"I notice a lot of whiners on social media. But those people are just creating noise; they aren't even employed. Taxes work well. Taxes are necessary for Kenya's development and growth.
When asked about the increase in value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum items from 8% to 16%, Nyamu responded that if it weren't for government meetings with producers to ensure the cost doesn't reach the end user, the consequence could have been worse.
"When prices of goods increase due to price increases and tax increases, the burden is transferred to the producer; producers bear the burden because the government is constantly brokering agreements to maintain reasonable prices," she added.
