Find other means of generating revenue instead of raising taxes

Protestors walk on the streets of Kisumu to demand the suspension of the Finance Bill. [Michael Mute, Standard]

Kenyan leaders, let us reason together on this matter. Two years after the Kenya Kwanza government was sworn in, an entirely new generation is on the streets, demonstrating against the ever-rising taxes and, ultimately, the skyrocketing cost of living.

This is the first time we have a break from politician-planned to people-planned demos. The demos followed a public outcry that forced the government to amend the controversial Finance Bill 2024 in which it removed the proposed 16 per cent VAT on bread, transportation of sugar of cane, financial services, foreign exchange transactions as well as the 2.5 per cent Motor Vehicle Tax. Notwithstanding, the aggressiveness with which the Kenya Kwanza government approaches taxation makes it seem like this is the only way for the government to generate revenue.