To change or not: Ruto's big tax headache

President William Ruto speaks during the National Breakfast Prayer meeting at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, on June 7, 2023. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

There are indications that after months of posturing, the government is mulling some amendments to the Finance Bill, 2023 whose proposals to introduce a string of taxes have generated stiff opposition and outrage from a cross-section of Kenyans.

In the last few weeks, amid widespread opposition, the government has acted tough, insisting that the Bill, which proposes a housing levy and an increase in fuel tax, must pass as it is.