Kenya's government plans to reinstate some previously scrapped tax measures, including an "eco-levy" on electronics and plastic packaging. Finance Minister John Mbadi announced these changes, aimed at raising approximately 150 billion Kenyan shillings ($1.2 billion), to fund essential services like teachers' wages. Although some measures will be modified and sensitive items like sanitary pads will be exempted, these taxes are seen as necessary for covering critical expenditure.
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NewsTranscript
00:00According to media reports, Kenya's government is poised to reintroduce several tax measures
00:21that were previously abandoned following the violent protest in June, according to the
00:26Finance Minister John Mbadi.
00:28In a recent interview with the local news channel, Mbadi outlined government's proposal
00:33to implement a series of amendments aimed at boosting revenue and covering essential
00:37expenditures.
00:38The proposed changes include the reinstatement of an eco-levy on items such as electronic
00:43goods and plastic packaging designed to address environmental concern and reduce waste.
00:50Mbadi emphasized the importance of this measure, stating that if you are injurious to the environment,
00:55then you must pay for helping make good the harm you have caused.
01:00However, the government is not planning to reintroduce all of the previously scrapped
01:05taxes.
01:06Mbadi assured that certain sensitive items such as sanitary pads will remain exempt from
01:11additional taxation.
01:14The Finance Minister also revealed that the government is considering approximately 49
01:18new tax measures with the goal of generating approximately $1.2 billion in revenue.
01:26These new tax proposals were a part of the Tax Amendment Bill, which is expected to be
01:31implemented by the end of September.
01:34The move comes after President William Ruto was forced to abandon this year's financial
01:39bill on 26 June following widespread riots and the storming of Parliament by the demonstrators.
01:46The original bill had aimed to raise approximately $2.7 billion in taxes but faced fierce opposition
01:52from the public.
01:54The protests in June escalated into total violence resulting in dozens of deaths and
01:59prompting President Ruto to dismiss most of his Cabinet on 11 July.
02:05Despite the setback, the Kenyan leader maintains that additional revenue is crucial for securing
02:09an IMF funding and preventing a debt default.
02:15In response to the public outcry, the government is now exploring alternative measures including
02:19the budget cut for the President's office.
02:22This approach will likely draw unrest again despite the fact that Kenya needs increased
02:27revenue and public concerns about the tax burden.
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