I am ready to pay tax, says Dor

Nominated MP Sheikh Mohamed Dor has joined a growing number of MPs willing to pay their tax arrears.

Sheikh Dor, who is undergoing treatment at Asian Heart Hospital in India, told the Nation by telephone Tuesday that he is willing to pay his full taxes when he gets back.

“All of us must pay our taxes as per the new Constitution. Whatever Kenya Revenue Authority agrees with the Parliamentary Service Commission, I am ready to pay,” he said.

“Currently, I’m undergoing some check-ups after being diagnosed with blood clot in my lungs. But I am responding well to treatment and expect to be back in Kenya next week."

The ODM nominated MP hailed his party leader, Prime Minister Raila Odinga for his bold move and said he would follow suit.

On Tuesday, Mr Odinga paid Sh3.4m to KRA drawn from his allowances as MP for Langata and as Prime Minister.

Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi also settled his arrears.

Mr Odinga’s outstanding tax bill was Sh3.392 million, while the Rev Musyimi paid Sh1.998 million.

They join MPs Peter Kenneth (Gatanga) and Johnstone Muthama (Kangundo) as the only lawmakers who pay tax on all their income.

Mr Kenneth and Mr Muthama have been paying tax since 2009.

“I have paid, because that is the law. The Constitution does not exempt anybody, let alone MPs, from paying taxes,” Mr Odinga said at a press conference in his office.

“The Constitution does not distinguish salary, allowances or other benefits.”

Sheikh Dor who also doubles as Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Secretary General, said it would be immoral for anyone in Kenya to evade tax on the basis of their position in society.

“I know judges have been alerted by their boss (Chief Justice) to pay full tax. I urge other top leaders - including the President to lead by example in implementing our constitution,” he said.

Sheikh Dor said he would like to see the law dealing with equal strength against people involved in embezzlement or misuse of public money.

He said instead of arresting and jailing such suspects, they should be forced to refund the money.

“We have suspects in the misuse of money meant for free primary education. I am not against them being arrested and even jailed if the courts deem it fit to do so. But they must at the same time be forced to refund every single coin,” he said.

The legislator said that Kenyans should feel the impact of taxation through provision of better services.

"I would like to see more drugs in hospitals, better roads and more rural electrification in Kenya. It is a shame that despite revenue collected over decades, there are parts of Kenya without electricity,” he said.

Sheikh Dor gave an example of Lamu island which has no electricity, 48 years after independence, and yet it has been a Unesco world heritage site for almost a decade.