Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has intensified his war of words with President William Ruto, accusing the Head of State of focusing on housing levy deductions while ignoring concerns over healthcare contributions, taxation and government spending.
In a strongly worded statement shared on social media on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, Sifuna challenged Ruto to explain the deductions made from Kenyan workers’ salaries, citing his own reported monthly contributions to the housing levy, the Social Health Authority (SHA) and Pay As You Earn (PAYE).
“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 said.
The senator also claimed that he pays KSh500,000 in PAYE every month, accusing the government of spending taxpayers’ money on tea and mandazi at State House while criticising Kenyans who question its taxation policies.
Sifuna Vows to Scrap Housing Levy in 2027
The Linda Mwananchi leader maintained that the government should cut unnecessary expenditure to ease the financial burden on workers.
He pledged that the housing levy would be scrapped if the opposition wins 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 stated.
The pledge places the Affordable Housing
Programme at the centre of the emerging election debate, with Sifuna presenting the abolition of the levy as part of a broader plan to reduce deductions from workers’ earnings.
Ruto Challenges Sifuna Over Housing Programme
The senator’s remarks followed Ruto’s criticism of his opposition to the housing levy during a tour of the North Rift region on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The President questioned Sifuna’s position, arguing that the Affordable Housing Programme creates employment opportunities for young Kenyans and offers families living in informal settlements a chance to access decent homes.
Ruto also cited the senator’s disclosure of his monthly housing levy deductions to estimate his earnings at approximately KSh1.8 million, intensifying the debate over high-income earners’ contributions and the government’s housing agenda.
Senate Remarks Spark Political Exchange
The dispute dates back to Thursday, October 8, 2026, when Sifuna cited deductions on his payslip during Senate proceedings to defend his right to question the housing levy and demand accountability over its use.
His latest response broadens the dispute to include SHA contributions and PAYE, placing the spotlight on the cumulative cost of statutory deductions for salaried workers.
The exchange comes amid continuing public debate over the cost of living, healthcare financing and the management of public resources.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, the housing levy is emerging as a potential campaign flashpoint, as Ruto defends his administration’s development agenda while Sifuna promises to abolish the levy if the opposition takes power.
