EXPOSED: Popular Blogger Reveals 7 Bills Signed by the Government while Kenyans were on December Holiday

President William Ruto|PHOTO COURTESY|

Famous blogger Cyprian Nyakundi has revealed that while Kenyans were busy enjoying their festive season in December, the government signed 7 bills into law.

Nyakundi claimed that the constituents of the bill are what Kenyans had earlier rejected during the June-July, 2024 demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024, that left several Kenyans dead, other injured and property destroyed.

The bills according to the blogger include elimination of tax relief, high excise duty on alcohol and confectionary, high excise duty on tobacco and nicotine products, new excise duties on transformers and printing ink, additional excise duties on imported goods, tax exemption for MPs and significance economic presence tax.

The blogger has claimed that the government has eliminated Affordable Housing Relief and Post-Retirement Medical Fund Relief and therefore incentives for affordable housing and financial preparedness for medical expenses in retirement are reduced.

He went ahead claiming that excise duty rates have been increased on imported sugar. Only pharmaceutical manufacturers and raw sugar intended for processing have not been included in the tax.

In addition, the government has raised excise duties on various alcoholic beverages and imported sugar confectionery, which in turn will lead to high prices.

Excise duties on tobacco and nicotine products have also been increased in order to reduce their consumption and bolster health.

The government has introduced a 25 percent excise duty tax on imported electric transformers and parts, 15% on imported printing ink, 5% on ceramic sanitaryware and tiles, 35% on float glass, and 2.5% on coal imports.

In the alleged bill, MPs will be exempted from paying Ksh. 1 billion in car taxes, whereas Ksh. 2.5 million they initially pay in taxes will be borne by taxpayers.

Foreign companies which provide their services in the country have also been targeted by the new significant economic presence (SEP) tax, which is at 6 percent. This will force them to increase their service charge, which will inturn revert to Kenyans who will be compelled to pay high prices.

The blogger has claimed that half of the Finance Bill, that they rejected during the controversial demonstrations is back to the people.

“The rejected Finance Bill 2024 aimed to raise KES 344.3 billion, while these recently passed amendments aim to raise KES 162 billion—47% of the original target. It is safe to say that the Finance Bill is halfway back,” he lamented.

President William Ruto declined to sign the controversial Finance Bill 2024 into law after Kenyans rejected it.