In a bold move, Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party, has called on all employers to disregard a recent court order and cease remitting the Housing Fund Levy.
This call to defiance comes in the wake of a High Court ruling declaring the levy unconstitutional.
Odinga’s stance is rooted in his firm belief that the levy is an unlawful burden on taxpayers and that the court’s decision stands despite the pending appeal.
He urged employers to stand in solidarity with Kenyan workers and withhold the levy from their paychecks.
“I am calling on all employers to immediately stop remitting the 1.5 per cent because it is against the Constitution,” Odinga asserted. “The court made its pronouncement that the matter is unconstitutional, period!”
His comments come as the government continues to grapple with the implications of the High Court’s ruling.
While the government has appealed the decision, the stay order issued by the court has left many employers uncertain about their obligations.
Odinga’s call for defiance is likely to spark further debate on the issue, particularly among employers who are now left to decide whether to comply with the court order or heed Odinga’s directive.
In the meantime, Kenyan workers await the outcome of the appeal, hoping for a resolution that will either alleviate their financial burden or provide clarity on the levy’s status.
