Lang’ata Member of Parliament, Phelix Oduwour, popularly known as Jalang’o, on Friday, June 9, criticised content creators protesting against the introduction of a 15 per cent tax on digital products.
Jalang’o, who spoke while attending a Parliamentary Committee Meeting on Media in Kisumu, explained that his fellow content creators were to blame.
He argued that the artists showcased opulence and a lavish lifestyle online, forcing the government to scrutinise their businesses.
“You people got yourselves into this mess. How do I convince the government that you don’t have money and are unable to pay the tax when you boast of being millionaires?” Jalang’o wondered.
The Langata legislator asked the content creators to be honest in their protests against the proposed Finance Bill 2023, noting that they had no valid reason for their objections.
“I was told that my good friend Oga Obina had gifted himself a small gift of Ksh6 million car. Similarly, other content creators have been spending as much as Ksh300,000 daily.
“Eric Omondi, for example, earns around Ksh10 million per month, and all this was made from content creation. Eric has so many advertisement opportunities with so many brands,” Jalang’o claimed.
According to Jalang’o, President William Ruto’s tax initiatives would benefit the country, including the content creators whose businesses were thriving.
“I am confronted with a situation where I don’t know what to tell the State in as far tax is concerned, and it’s because of what creators have been showing,” the Lang’ata MP stated.
Finance Bill 2023 defines content creators as individuals or businesses producing content for online platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. The bill would impose a 15 per cent withholding tax on the income of content creators.
The government explained that the tax is necessary to level the playing field between content creators and other businesses.
Content creators criticized the proposed tax, arguing it would stifle creativity and innovation and make it more difficult for them to make a living.
However, on Thursday, June 1, President Ruto assured the content creators he was still open to feedback and changes on the proposed tax.
