Government Spokesperson Col. Cyrus Oguna has irked Kenyans after he downplayed the wide public outcry over the ever-rising cost of living in the country due to over taxation.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Oguna told Kenyans to stop complaining about the rising taxes and instead “stand firm” and fully support the government by paying taxes diligently.

He noted that the national government depended on its citizens to meet all its recurrent and development financial obligations.

“Serikali haifanyi biashara. Serikali ina jukumu la kuweza kupeana huduma. Kuna polisi, wanajeshi, watumishi wa uma, kama sisi ambao lazima tulipwe. Kuna barabara, hospitali na shule ambazo lazima ziwepo,” Oguna said.

What has angered Kenyans even more is Oguna’s assertion that citizens in developed countries in Europe pay higher taxes hence they needed not complain and pay up.

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“The amount of taxes those people in Europe pay is nothing compared to what we are paying here. So, we are crying when we should not cry. We should be standing firm and support our government. Let’s not cry all the time,” he added.

His remarks come as Kenyans have expressed anger over rising cost of living occasioned by the move by energy regulator EPRA to increase fuel prices for the umpteenth time this year.