Majority of Kenyans demonstrate Against Proposed tax increase

Tensions in Kenya reached a boiling point this week as thousands of protesters took to the streets to reject a proposed tax bill that would increase taxes on various sectors of the economy.

The protests, which began on Tuesday and continued into Thursday, saw hundreds of demonstrators gather in major cities across the country, including Nairobi, Eldoret, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kisii, and Kisumu.

The proposed 2024 Finance Bill aims to increase tax on a range of goods and services, including diapers, tires, batteries, smartphones, and cameras.

The government has also introduced a new “ecology levy” to combat plastic pollution and protect the environment. However, protesters argue that the bill is unconstitutional and will disproportionately affect low-income households.

One protester, Effie Muendo, expressed her concerns about the bill’s impact on women’s dignity.

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“The finance bill is unconstitutional and it’s very punitive to the people of Kenya,” she said. “Sixty-five percent of women cannot afford sanitary towels, and yet they want to tax them. This is an attack on our dignity as women.”

Another protester, Kimani Mbugua, vowed to fight the bill “to the end”. “We are exercising our democratic rights,” he said. “We are here to fight the finance bill because it is punitive and it must be fought. We are fighting it to the core and it must be rejected.”

Despite concessions made by the government to drop certain provisions of the bill, protesters remain committed to their cause. They are demanding that the entire bill be scrapped.

The National Assembly is expected to vote on the bill next week. Kenyans will continue to protest until their demands are met.

The debate over the finance bill has highlighted deep divisions within Kenyan society over taxation and development priorities. While some argue that increased taxes are necessary to fund government development programs and loan payments, others believe that the burden falls too heavily on ordinary citizens.

The government has announced that it will scale back part of the proposed tax increases in response to public pressure. However, this has not been enough to placate protesters who believe that more needs to be done to address their concerns.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Kenyans will not go quietly into the night without a fight. The protests will continue until their voices are heard and their demands for a more equitable taxation system are met.

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