RUTO REMINDS KENYANS LIVING ABROAD THAT REVENUES, NOT DEBTS, WILL BUILD KENYA.

Kenya will only be developed through taxes, not debt or outside assistance, according to President William Ruto.

In a speech to Kenyan expatriates in Tokyo, Ruto emphasized that for Kenya to progress, its people must be willing to work hard.

He asserted that Kenyans need to be prepared to follow the same path that Japan took, whereby their citizens established their country.

According to the President, there is one area in which he is unwilling to give in, at any cost.

"I looked at the data today. Japan's tax rate as a proportion of GDP is 34.8%.

 We only have 15% in Kenya, which is less than half of what we have here. Kenyans need to put in some elbow grease and build their country if that is what it takes.

"Our nation will not grow via external assistance, foreign debt, or other means. We are the ones who will create our nation. The people of Japan used their taxes to build their country. With our tax money and earnings, Kenyans will construct their own country. We need to share that declaration, Ruto stated on Wednesday.

The president stated that he is making difficult choices that are in the best interests of the nation and that he has no guilt about them.

He went on to say that even if some people have called him names, he will always act honorably for Kenya.

"I get called names a lot, but when you are acting morally, it shows in your conscience. And I'll act honorably toward my nation no matter what labels people give me, even Zakayo."

On Tuesday night, Ruto departed the nation for an official four-day visit to Japan. 

He will have several bilateral meetings with Corporations and the top leadership in Japan while he is there.

Kenya and Japan's Toyota Tsusho Corporation signed a framework agreement on Wednesday to cooperate in the production of automobiles and the development of renewable energy.