Business Leaders Protest New Tax Policy on 5,000 in Nairobi

Thousands of Kenyans poured into the streets of Nairobi and major towns on Thursday to protest against proposed tax increases in the government’s 2024/2025 Finance Bill. The demonstrations, largely led by young people, brought the capital’s central business district to a standstill as police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds attempting to march toward Parliament. Protesters demanded that Members of Parliament reject the bill, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of burdening ordinary citizens with more taxes despite earlier promises to ease the cost of living.
The contentious Finance Bill proposes several new levies, including a 2.75% deduction on workers’ incomes to fund the national health insurance scheme and higher taxes on fuel and cooking oil — measures critics say will further inflate food and transport prices. Although the government scrapped some controversial provisions, such as a proposed 16% VAT on bread and an annual motor vehicle tax, protesters insisted that the changes did little to address their grievances. Many participants said the rising cost of living has left them with no choice but to speak out. Our parents have been taxed dry, yet there’s little development to show, said 19-year-old activist Ashley Mwai, who joined the protest in Nairobi.
The demonstrations, which also spread to towns like Eldoret and Garissa, reflect growing frustration among Kenyans who say they feel betrayed by a government they voted for with hopes of economic relief. Business owners and salaried workers alike expressed fears that the new tax regime could cripple small enterprises and make daily life unbearable. President Ruto has defended the legislative process, emphasizing that public participation and institutional checks are part of Kenya’s democracy. However, as Parliament prepares for the bill’s final reading next week, pressure continues to mount on lawmakers to reject the proposals. Civil society groups have vowed to sustain the demonstrations, signalling that the tax debate could evolve into one of Kenya’s most significant political flashpoints in recent years.