The true cost of new punitive tax measures on ailing job market

Engineers at Association of Vehicles Assembly (AVA) go through their paces as they locally assemble Kenya's Administration police vehicles at Miritini, January 24, 2018. [File, Standard]

Job creation in Kenya might prove difficult over the coming year as employers move to cushion themselves from new taxes that will see labour costs shoot up by holding off hiring plans.

Some of the factors that will push labour costs up include the housing levy, which is supposed to kick in this month as the government implements the Finance Act, 2023.