Kenya to re-introduced controversial taxes at risk of igniting protests

Kenya prepares to re-introduce an amended version of the eco-levy tax that has been at the heart of popular discontent that plunged the country into violent protests this summer.

Treasury Secretary John Mbadi told local media that “about 49 measures” were being considered as part of a tax amendment bill.

Some of the scrapped taxes will have to be re-imposed, he said, because the government needed to pay for expenditure including wages for teachers.

In June, Kenyan President William Ruto withdrew a controversial finance bill that had sparked violent protests and a deadly government crackdown that saw nearly 40 people killed in clashes with authorities.

However, by reinstating unpopular taxes, the government plans to raise about $1.2 billion by reinstating some unpopular taxes.

These include the reintroduction of an “eco levy” on goods such as electronic items as well as plastic packaging, that the government says is aimed at reducing waste.