Friday, June 2, 2023 – President William Ruto has claimed that local actors Timothy Kimani Ndegwa aka Njugush and Edwin Butita aka Butita are making money more than his monthly salary.
Speaking as he hosted drama Fest Concert in Nairobi on Friday June 2, the head of State mentioned the two Kenyan content creators whom he claimed make more money every month than his official pay.
“We have Njugush and Butita. Clap for those two gentlemen. Don’t judge them by their dress code, these two young men make money than myself.
“I congratulate them for their work in the digital space. Again clap for them,” he urged.
And speaking on the contentious matter of planning to tax content creators in the country, President Ruto confirmed that the Kenya Revenue Authority KRA had forced a clause into the Finance Bill 2023.
He, however, noted that he had directed the Ministry of ICT to look into the clause well and to make sure those working in the digital space are not punished for now.
He however said, at the end, everybody should be willing to pay taxes to the government for further development of the infrastructure.
“Tax fellows are listening and they can arrive. I understand there is a proposal in this year’s budget on creators in digital apace.
“I have asked the ICT department to work on it. They need to give you space to grow a bit before they can come for you,” Ruto assured.
Additionally, President Ruto promised to create 25,000 free internet hotspots by year 2025 saying, already, his administration had done the first 50 spots.
He urged the young content creators to feel free to monetize their content; a move he said his government will continue to support.
Days ago, comedian Erick Omondi fired a warning at the current government for plotting to tax struggling industry in the digital space.
He threatened to lead protests against the move should it be implemented.
