Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has renewed his criticism of President William Ruto’s Affordable Housing Levy, accusing the Head of State of burdening Kenyan workers with deductions while defending the government’s housing programme.
In a post on X, Sifuna questioned the monthly deductions workers make towards the housing levy and the Social Health Authority (SHA), arguing that the government should also account for the taxes paid by Kenyans.
“Is he done ranting about the 24K I pay for his housing scam because kuna hii 43k I pay every month for his SHA scam we also need to discuss,” Sifuna wrote.
Senator's concerns about housing levy
The senator went on to question the amount of Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax he said was deducted from his salary every month, accusing the President of using public resources lavishly while criticising taxpayers.
Sifuna said the opposition would seek to reduce government expenditure and ease the financial burden on workers if it gained power in the 2027 General Election.
“In 2027 we are cutting the fat out of our budget to bring relief to all Kenyan workers. The housing levy will go with Ruto,” he added.
His remarks come after President Ruto directly challenged critics of the Affordable Housing Programme, singling out Sifuna over his proposal to abolish the levy.
Speaking during the second day of his tour of Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties, the President defended the programme, arguing that scrapping the levy would threaten employment opportunities created through housing construction.
Ruto questioned why Sifuna, whom he said paid KSh 24,000 towards the housing levy, would want the programme stopped at the expense of workers who depend on construction projects for their livelihoods.
The President also challenged the senator to consider the employment opportunities available to ordinary Kenyans, arguing that the housing programme was intended to benefit families seeking jobs and affordable homes.
President defends housing programme
“If you are paying KSh 24,000, and you have KSh 1.8 million, you do not want the children of these people who pay you to get jobs,” Ruto said, according to the remarks provided.
The exchange underscores the growing political contest over the cost of living, statutory deductions and the future of the Affordable Housing Programme ahead of the 2027 elections.
Political implications of the debate
While the government maintains that the housing initiative will create jobs and expand access to affordable homes, critics have questioned the financial burden placed on workers and called for the levy to be scrapped.
Sifuna’s latest remarks signal that the housing levy is likely to remain a key political battleground as opposition leaders seek to position themselves around tax relief and public spending reforms.
The senator has framed the proposed repeal as part of a broader effort to reduce government expenditure and ease deductions affecting salaried Kenyans, while Ruto continues to defend the programme as an employment and housing intervention.
