The new proposal includes, among other things, a tax on foods that are not considered environmentally friendly. The protest movement has already announced that the demonstrations will continue.
Kenya’s new finance minister John Mbadi says that some of the previously proposed controversial taxes will be introduced as part of the reform of the tax code. Violent riots erupted in Kenya in June against the tax reform.
Kenyans are suffering from high living costs while the country’s government is struggling to pay off the national debt. The outrage sparked by the tax proposals forced the president William Ruton to abandon the bill and dismiss most of his cabinet ministers.
Now some of the unpopular tax proposals have been added to the bill again. According to Mbadi, the proposal includes, among other things, a tax on foods that are not considered environmentally friendly. The proposal has been criticized, among other things, for the fact that, if implemented, it could increase the price of menstrual pads and diapers, for example.
A protest movement led by young Kenyans has already announced that protests across Kenya will continue.
More than 50 people have died in the protests so far. According to the National Human Rights Commission of Kenya, the background is police violence.
The protesters have also demanded the resignation of President Ruto, who defends the tax reforms. The president has not agreed to the demand.
Source: AP