Gachagua vows to scrap Housing Levy, refund deducted money if elected president
DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua during a service at PCEA Ruringu Parish in Nyeri on Sunday. Photo/Courtesy
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has vowed to abolish the controversial Housing Levy and refund all deducted money if elected president.
Speaking during a church service at PCEA Ruringu Parish in Nyeri on Sunday, Mr Gachagua said the levy was unconstitutional and a burden on already struggling Kenyans.
“The Housing Levy is illegal, oppressive, and punitive. When I become president, I will abolish it and refund every coin that has been taken from Kenyans,” he told congregants.
The Housing Levy, introduced under the Finance Act 2023, was declared unconstitutional by the High Court in November 2023. A three-judge bench ruled that the levy was discriminatory for targeting only salaried workers and lacked a proper legal framework.
Although the court temporarily suspended its decision until January 10, 2024, to allow government appeals, the Court of Appeal later upheld the High Court’s position, effectively halting collections.
Mr Gachagua also pledged to restore Kenya’s health insurance scheme by reintroducing the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
He said it was more accessible and beneficial to ordinary Kenyans compared to the current Social Health Authority system.
He further promised to make free primary education a reality “the way President Mwai Kibaki left it,” accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of abandoning the legacy of affordable education.
On university education, Mr Gachagua said his administration would ensure adequate funding.
This will rescue public universities from financial crisis and to expand access for needy students.
"I don't want to promise lies to the people of Kenya. I want to do only one thing - to restore Kenya to where Mwai Kibaki left it," he said.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader added that he was encouraged to see many children attending church, saying his campaign against alcohol abuse in Central Kenya had begun bearing fruit.
He urged parents and religious leaders to continue guiding young people away from drugs and illicit brews.
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