The Government has abandoned major tax ideas that prompted great public outrage among Kenyans.
The statement came following a parliamentary group meeting hosted by President William Ruto at State House in Nairobi on Tuesday.
In a press briefing following the meeting, the Ruto team announced that the suggestions were canceled after a public engagement exercise revealed widespread resistance among Kenyans.
Bread, automobile and environmental levies are among the plans that have been dropped.
Kuria Kimani, chair of the Finance and National Planning Committee, stated that the environmental tax will only apply to imported finished products.
It will also not cover diapers and sanitary towels, as previously proposed.
The committee concluded its report writing in Naivasha on Monday evening where it had retreated after undertaking three weeks of public participation on the Bill and received 500 memoranda.
KRA clarifies taxing imported wedding dress valued at Sh300K
President Ruto recently urged MPs to pass the 2024/25 national budget, saying several road projects that stalled during the previous administration have been factored in.
Speaking during the Akorino Church National Conference in Nakuru on Sunday, the President told MPs not to make the mistake of shooting down the budget as it will affect the planned revival of the roads.
“We had some many road projects that we started before 2021 but stalled because of lack of money. Last year we said we need to sort the economic mess,” he said.
Ruto insisted that the county’s economy is now stable after spending nearly 20 months reconstructing the government.
“I want to ask MP, the issues are now coming to you in Parliament help us because in that budget we have allocated money for all roads in the country that stalled,” Ruto said.
