Kenyan President William Ruto has accused the tax collection agency’s staff of cutting government revenue by engaging in corruption and colluding with tax evaders.

“Collusion, wanton bribe-taking and general corruption continue to pervade operations of KRA [the Kenya Revenue Authority],” the president told KRA’s management and board members at an event streamed live on his social media pages on Friday.

Ruto was elected in August after pledging to uplift the poor but has had a rough time in office so far as growing government debt repayments, revenue collection shortfalls and high prices of basic commodities have squeezed the economy and led to protests.