Kenya is planning to reintroduce some tax measures that were scrapped after major protests earlier this year, which could lead to more unrest.
Finance Minister John Mbadi explained that some of these taxes will be adjusted but are necessary to fund expenses like teachers’ salaries.
The government had previously abandoned a finance bill on June 26, which included new taxes to raise extra money.
This decision followed widespread protests and the dismissal of many cabinet members. Some people involved in the protests are ready to demonstrate again in response to the minister’s announcement.
The original bill aimed to raise $2.70 billion through new taxes, but protesters argued it would worsen the financial burden on people already struggling with high living costs.
In a recent interview, Mbadi said the government plans to reintroduce an “eco-levy” on many goods but will exclude essential products like sanitary pads, which had angered protesters.
He stated that these measures are needed to cover new government expenses and will be presented to parliament by September 30.
The government faces pressure from both its citizens and international lenders, such as the IMF, which are pushing for budget cuts.
Despite criticism, Mbadi argued that businesses harming the environment should help pay for its cleanup. The new measures are expected to raise about 150 billion shillings. For more details, see Reuters’ report.