Malala: Ruto’s tax exemption for Kenyans earning under Ksh30k is re-election strategy
By Mabonga Makhanu, February 16, 2026Democracy for Citizens Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala has termed the recent move by the state to exempt tax for those earning under Ksh30,000 as a re-election strategy meant to dupe Kenyans into voting for him.
Malala was speaking during a United Opposition rally in Nyamakima after the opposition leaders failed to meet the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, at Vigilance House on Monday, February 16, 2026.
The outspoken former senator said the president has no goodwill in lowering the tax but wants to do so to get re-elected, after which he will reinstate the taxes back to where they were.
“Huyu Ruto amejua anaenda nyumbani, ameamua Finance Bill ya June ati anapunguza ushuru kwa watu ambao wanaearn Ksh30K and below. Tungependa kuambia Kasongo tunajua ujanja wako; wewe unataka kupigiwa kura na baada ya kuregeshwa utaregesha huo ushuru juu”
He went on to state that if the president truly means well for Kenyans, he should instead do away with the importation duty so that the prices of basic commodities can be affordable, and that is when, according to him, Kenyans will know that he is telling the truth.
“Tunataka kama unasema ukweli, kama unataka bei ya maisha irudi chini, wewe punguza importation duty kwanza ndio tujue wewe unasema ukweli.”
The tax reduction
Malala’s remarks builds on President William Ruto’s earlier declaration on February 4, 2026 during a UDA aspirants’ meeting at State House, Nairobi. Ruto said the government plans to reduce Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes for Kenyans earning up to Ksh50,000 to ease the cost of living.
“We would not be able to reduce taxes if we had not set the foundation right. That is why we are going to Parliament. We are now saying that any Kenyan who earns less than 30,000 shillings will not pay any taxes,” Ruto said.
Millions gain tax relief
Ruto also proposed that for those earning up to Ksh50,000, the tax rate will be reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent. “1.5 million working Kenyans will not pay any taxes. Another 500,000 will have their taxes reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent,” he added.
Mbadi has been a vocal supporter of the reforms. Speaking at a public engagement in Kiambu on February 1, he said the tax relief measures are intended to put more money into the pockets of low- and middle-income earners while stimulating the economy.
“Those salaried Kenyans, we have 3.5 million earning salaries. They carry the burden for almost everybody. It is not fair. Anybody earning below 30,000 in this country should pay zero tax. Zero,” Mbadi said.
According to Treasury estimates, the reforms will benefit over 1.5 million workers earning below Ksh30,000, while the broader PAYE reduction will affect more than three million salaried Kenyans.