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Kenya's President Approves Finance Law to Increase Government Revenue

© Photo Official website of the President of KenyaPresident William Ruto on Monday assented to the Finance Bill, 2023
President William Ruto on Monday assented to the Finance Bill, 2023 - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 26.06.2023
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The Ruto administration's debut revenue enhancement plan seeks to raise an additional 289 billion shillings ($2 billion) in tax revenue to help fund the administration's 3.6 trillion shillings ($26.2 billion) budget for 2023/24.
Kenya's President William Ruto has officially signed the Finance Bill into law following its approval by the National Assembly.
The core provision of the bill is an increase of VAT on fuel from 8% to 16%.
The law also provides that employers and workers will contribute 1.5% of their gross wages to a housing levy, to go into a fund that will then pay for the construction of low-income homes, a move strongly defended by the president.

"How much longer do we want these people to live in slums? In my estimation, we are sixty years late in making the decision that Singapore made. I think the time is now," Ruto said in early June.

Similarly, under the new law, the tax for creators of digital technology will be charged at a rate of 5%, while the tax on rates and tax on withholding insurance premiums are to be set at 12.5% and 16%, respectively.
Another major change that takes effect on July 1 is the introduction of a new Pay As You Earn tax rate of 32.5% for those earning monthly gross wages between 500,000 and 800,000 shillings ($3,600 – $5,700), and a new 35% rate for any gross wages over 800,000 shillings.

On the other hand, the bill reduces the railroad development tax from 2.5% to 1.5% and the import declaration fee from 3.5% to 2.5%.

In addition, the revised income tax on rent has been slashed from the current 10% to 7.5%.
According to Ruto, the new fiscal law aims to stimulate the economy, provide jobs and increase revenues and is focused on solving the problems "faced by ordinary Kenyans."
William Ruto, President of Kenya, speaks during a joint press conference with Kristalina Georgieva, President of the International Monetary Fund, French President Emmanuel Macron, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and World Bank President Ajay Banga at the end of the New Global Financial Pact Summit, Friday, June 23, 2023 in Paris. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 23.06.2023
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A budget of 3.6 shillings will reportedly seek to maintain a delicate balance between servicing debt and stabilizing the economy.
On Wednesday night, the bill was supported by 184 MPs – mostly from the ruling party Kenya Kwanza – while 88 MPs mostly from the opposition Azimio Party opposed the amendments.
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