Kenya’s government announced plans to reintroduce tax hikes that sparked protests earlier this year.
The announcement coincided with the swearing-in of new deputy president Abraham Kithure Kindiki.
President William Ruto had previously scrapped a controversial finance bill in June due to public outcry.
Rights groups condemned the police response to the protests, which resulted in over 60 deaths.
The Kenyan government now faces a pressing need to boost revenues amid approximately $80 billion in national debt.
To address this, three new tax bills will soon be introduced in parliament.
Among the proposed measures are VAT increases and new taxes for digital freelancers.
This change may provoke backlash, especially in a country where one-third of the population lives in poverty.
Ruto acknowledged that insufficient tax revenues have hindered development.
Kindiki, formerly the interior minister, vowed to work towards national transformation.
In his acceptance speech, he emphasized the government’s commitment to improving education, healthcare, and agriculture.
