President William Ruto has stated that he formed a broad-based government in order to unite the country and achieve economic transformation.
Speaking in Rukuriri, Embu county, Ruto said the new inclusive government will help “tame incitement” and allow the country to focus on development.
Ruto emphasized the importance of working together as “one team” when it comes to addressing issues like debt repayment and tax collection.
He noted that the money collected belongs to all Kenyans, and expressed his desire to not be the only one referred to as “Zakayo” – a Swahili term with biblical references to a tax collector.
“Sisi wote ni team moja. Tumekubaliana tunaunganisha Kenya iwe team moja. Juzi nimeunda serikali ya kuunganisha wakenya wote kwa sababu sitaki fitina tena na mkenya yeyote. Kama ni madeni tulipe pamoja, kama ni kutafuta ushuru tutafute pamoja.
“Mimi peke yangu nisiitwe Zakayo, sisi wote tupange mambo ya kutafuta ushuru ya Kenya. Pesa natafuta ya Kenya inaenda kwa account yetu sisi wote. Kwa hivyo kila mtu akuje akuwe Zakayo, tutafute Ushuru pamoja,” he said.
This loosely translates to, “We are all one team. We have agreed that we are uniting Kenya into one team. The other day I formed a government that will unite all Kenyans because I don’t want any more incitement from any Kenyan. If it’s debts, let’s pay together. If it’s taxes, let’s look for it together. I alone should not be called Zakayo, let’s all plan how to get taxes for Kenya. The money I am looking for in the country goes to our account. So everyone should come and be named Zakayo, let’s find that tax together.”
The President previously stated that he did not mind being called “Zakayo” as long as he was doing the right thing for the country. The name has been used to refer to Ruto after he introduced various tax measures since taking office in 2022.
President Ruto has recently formed a “broad-based” government, bringing in members of the opposition ODM party into key Cabinet Secretary positions.
The nominees, including Hassan Joho, Wycliffe Oparanya, Opiyo Wandayi, and John Mbadi, have been vetted and approved by the National Assembly.
