Premium
Ease Kenyans’ tax burden
As MPs begin to scrutinise the Finance Bill, 2025, which has already been forwarded to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, the sad memories of last year’s deadly protests and mayhem that resulted in 60 deaths and injuries to hundreds, are still fresh in people’s minds.
Though Speaker Wetang’ula has confirmed receipt of the draft Bill from National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, it has not yet been released for public scrutiny.
The Finance Bill, 2025 details are still in the custody of the top bureaucrats.
After Parliament unanimously passed the Finance Bill, 2024 that contained “punitive and oppressive” tax proposals, hell broke loose, culminating in the GenZ protesters’ invasion of Parliament that threatened to destabilise the country.
The MPs found themselves on the run. They had ignored the people’s cries about the high taxes.
By the time President William Ruto declined to assent to the Bill, the nation was on the brink of disaster, with deaths and destruction of property.
This time around, the people’s representatives in the National Assembly must be more sensitive to their concerns.
Keen to avoid last year’s mess, the Cabinet has promised to lower taxes. The general hope is that this will be fulfilled.
The National Assembly must ensure that the Bill is debated and passed and ready for assent or rejection by the President by June 30. If it is endorsed, the Kenya Revenue Authority starts collecting taxes on the first day of the new financial year.
Besides the high taxation, other issues of contention are the wastage of public funds and the mounting public debt.
President Ruto’s pledge is to minimise taxes, ensure quick release of tax refunds and fast-track tax disputes.
Kenyans are already struggling to make ends meet and should be spared further burdens. The government should explore measures to lower the high cost of living.
