How self-employed Kenyans will contribute to the Affordable Housing Programme
Ruto signs the Affordable Housing bill into law with self-employed Kenyans also expected to contribute to the programme
Ruto signs the Affordable Housing bill into law with self-employed Kenyans also expected to contribute to the programme.
President Ruto said in a statement shortly after signing the Affordable Housing Bill that thousands of Kenyans would be employed to construct the various housing units the program calls for, including Jua Kali artisans.
Attending the event, Housing and Urban Development Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said that the Jua Kali sector, like other stakeholders including self-employed, would pay the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) its fair share of taxes.
Hinga assigned a Jua Kali contractor who had won a Ksh122 million contract for affordable housing to inform the President about the payment plan for the levy.
Peter Muema Muthaka told President William Ruto that his Jua Kali group were given the Ksh122 million contract in 2018 which entailed fitting windows and doors to a Park Roads Affordable Housing Unit.
“When we were given the contract, KRA told us to pay tax and we refused,” Muema stated, adding that they thought they should not pay tax since they were working for the government.
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When the housing units were near completion, they were invited to KRA offices and reminded to file their taxes.
Adamant they would not pay despite earning millions, KRA decided to deduct their last payment.
“Our last payment of Ksh26 million was all taken by KRA. They had contacted all banks to withhold the payment,” he told the President.
As such, the welders and fitters did not receive their final salary of Ksh17,500 each.
“KRA is now our good partner and we have come to realize the benefits of everyone paying their taxes dutifully,” he stated.
Going forward, all Jua Kali artisans must submit their taxes once they receive their cheque from the National Government.
“We now make all our fundis pay taxes, if they do not make prompt tax payments after receiving their salaries, we contact the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) who issue qualification certificates,” he explained.
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