Kenya’s Finance Minister John Mbadi plans to reintroduce controversial taxes through a tax amendment bill, sparking renewed criticism and protests amid the country’s economic struggles.
Bollywood Fever: Kenya’s new Finance Minister, John Mbadi, has announced plans to reintroduce some of the controversial taxes that led to weeks of deadly protests earlier this year. The announcement, made during a local television interview on Sunday, has already drawn significant criticism from Kenyans who had previously pressured President William Ruto to drop a contentious finance bill due to the rising cost of living.
The new tax amendment bill will include a range of measures, including a tax on goods considered environmentally harmful. “This country is not a dumping place,” Mbadi stated, defending the proposed taxes. However, critics argue that these taxes would increase the cost of essential goods such as sanitary towels and diapers, further burdening Kenyan citizens.
The proposed taxes come as Kenya faces mounting pressure to generate revenue to pay off debts owed to international lenders, including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and China. Despite the IMF suggesting some of the controversial tax changes, the reintroduction of these proposals has reignited anger among the public.
The youth-led protest movement, which had previously stormed Parliament and demanded the firing of most of Ruto’s Cabinet, has already responded to the minister’s remarks, vowing to continue demonstrations across the country. Since mid-June, over 50 people have died during protests, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights accusing the police of brutality.
Opposition lawmaker Robert Mbui criticized the plan to reintroduce certain proposals, calling it a “mistake” and accusing the new finance minister of “double speak” after he previously claimed there were no plans to increase taxes.
President William Ruto had initially defended the new taxes but withdrew the previous bill under intense public pressure. Despite the backlash, Ruto has refused to resign, as demanded by protesters. The IMF, which supports an economic reform program in Kenya, has expressed confidence in finding a balanced solution moving forward, though the reintroduction of these taxes is likely to fuel further unrest.
As Kenya navigates these challenging economic times, the government’s efforts to balance revenue generation with public sentiment will be closely watched, with the potential for continued protests and political instability.
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