William Ruto's Punitive Taxes Causing Mental Distress To Kenyans, Catholic Bishops Say

• The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) highlighted the detrimental impact of high taxation on the mental health of Kenyans
• Archbishop Philip Anyolo emphasised that the country had experienced a steady rise in the cost of living over the past three years, further exacerbating the financial challenges
• Anyolo underscored the church's solidarity with those struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, education, and healthcare
• In addition to financial burdens, he pointed out the pressing issue of youth unemployment, stressing the need for government action

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi - The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has claimed the high level of taxation in the country is taking a toll on the mental health of Kenyans.

During a press briefing on Thursday, April 11, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Nairobi Philip Anyolo said over-taxation has led to mental distress.

KCCB stated ordinary Kenyans were dealing with a lot of issues stemming from financial constraints.

"On several occasions, we have addressed the issue of the cost of living and over-taxation. The reality of ordinary Kenyans is that they are struggling financially, which has often led them to mental distress," said Anyolo.

He added that in the last three years, the country has had to contend with a sharply rising cost of living.

Anyolo added that the church stands with Kenyans struggling to put food on their table or take their children to school and pay medical bills.

"While Kenyans are doing everything possible to adapt to the cost of living, the church stands with those who cannot afford to put food on the table, take children to schools, or pay medical bills," he added.

KCCB points out other problems affecting Kenyans

Anyolo further stated that the country's youth are also dealing with unemployment, which is slowly becoming the norm.

He explained that the government must always strive to ensure every Kenyan meets their basic wants.

"Unemployment is also at its height. Moreover, we continue to be heavily taxed by corruption in our service systems. The issue of over-taxation is therefore be understood within this context. What must we do to support the suffering Kenyans? It must be our aim as a nation to make the ordinary Kenyans at least meet their basic needs," stated.

Catholic bishops call out Ruto for being merciless on hustlers

Earlier, the bishops said that the decisions made by President William Ruto's government were more hurtful to the poor and miserable population of the country.

They said the ever-rising and unbearable cost of living pushed Kenyans to lose interest and hope in their country.

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Catholic bishops converge for a presser

William Ruto's Punitive Taxes Causing Mental Distress to Kenyans

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