Ruben Kigame slams Ruto’s tax cut plan
By Cynthia Lodite, February 7, 2026Renowned gospel musician, human rights activist, and 2027 presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame has come out criticising President William Ruto’s recent proposal on the tax cut plan, demanding justice for protesters tortured during the Finance Bill protest in 2024
Taking to his official X account on Saturday, February 7, 2026, Kagame argues that Ruto’s bid to lower taxes is an escape for answers and justice from victims of the Finance Bill 2024.
On his part, Kigame stated that at the time, at least 100 young people lost their lives demanding that taxes be lowered, with the President referring to the protests as treasonous.
“The Ruto Administration butchered more than 100 young people in Kenya for demanding that taxes be lowered. ThePolice abducted and tortured those who protested against the Finance Bill 2024, and the president called such protests treasonous. All continue as if nothing happenedm” Kigame said.
Slaming Ruto’s remarks on the 2024 Finance Bill protests, Kigame questioned that the government’s move to lower taxes, describing it as a re-election tactic.
Kigame is now demanding justice for the lives lost and the return of what he describes as fundamental values.
“Now the same Ruto announces he will lower taxes so that he can be reelected in some people cheer. We not only need justice for our children and a return to fundamental values, but also need to ensure that none of the killers is in the next government,”Kigame added.
Ruto defends tax cut
Kigame’s remarks come days after President William Ruto defended the proposal to raise the minimum taxable income from the current Ksh24,000 to Ksh30,000, describing it as a progressive step that would ease the cost of living for many Kenyans.
On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced that Kenyans earning a monthly income of Ksh30,000 and below would be exempt from Pay As You Earn (PAYE), an increase from the current threshold that covers only salaried workers earning Ksh24,000 and below.
To further reduce the tax burden on the middle class, Mbadi said those earning between Ksh30,001 and Ksh50,000 would see their PAYE rate cut to 25 per cent.
The change is expected to benefit 3.5 million salaried Kenyans who carry a significant portion of the country’s tax load.
High-income earners would also see relief, with the top tax rate capped at 30 per cent, down from the current 32.5 to 35 per cent.
More than 1.7 million workers earning below Ksh50,000 are projected to benefit from lower tax liabilities once the tax-free threshold is raised from Ksh24,000 to Ksh30,000.
Mbadi said the reduction for the intermediate income band is aimed at leaving more money in the pockets of middle-income earners.
“Those salaried Kenyans—3.5 million of them—are carrying the burden for almost everybody. It is not fair. We have decided to take this proposal to Bunge. I am not even waiting for the Finance Bill. Anyone earning below Ksh30,000 in this country should pay zero tax. Zero,” Mbadi said during a public forum in Kiambu county.
Speaking on Wednesday at the State House while hosting UDA aspirants, Ruto said the measure would help shield households from recurring financial challenges by increasing disposable income.
“We are now saying that any Kenyan who earns less than Ksh30,000 will not pay any taxes. Any Kenyan earning up to Ksh50,000 will see their taxes reduced from 30 per cent to 25 per cent,” Ruto said.