Why new taxes failed to safeguard local traders

Imports of iron and steel whose duty had been cranked up to 35 per cent from 25 per cent have since dropped

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s policies to protect local manufacturing industries and enhance job creation have failed to yield the desired results according to the latest data.

While imports of iron and steel and vegetable oils have dropped in the three months to September 2018, since the increase in import duty on the items, importers of paper and paper products, cheap clothes and footwear have defiantly brought in more of the products despite the punitive levies.