75% of Kenyans opposed to Finance Bill 2023 – poll data
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Majority of Kenyans opposed to the controversial finance bill 2023 according to CFA and Twaweza poll data
Majority of Kenyans opposed to the controversial finance bill 2023 according to CFA and Twaweza poll data.
According to a survey conducted by the Centre for Fiscal Affairs (CFA) and Twaweza, at least 75% of Kenyans have voiced their strong opposition to the Finance Bill 2023.
83.8% of respondents to an online survey that was conducted between May 19 and June 6, 2023, voiced their displeasure with the absence of citizen input into the development of the Finance Bill.
Exempting LPG gas from the VAT (67% support) and lowering the excise on bank money transfers from 20% to 15% (68% support) were the adjustments that Kenyans preferred.
Additionally, respondents (68% support) were in favor of reducing the excise duty on data bundles from 20% of the excisable value to 15%.
Alternatives offered by Kenyans on revenue generation include: addressing corruption, reducing wastage in the government, broadening the tax base by simplifying tax laws, targeting untapped sources, and strengthening tax administration.
Kenyans also called for transparency in order to help build trust between citizens and government institutions.
Following this, Members of the National Assembly have been urged to make an informed vote on the Bill taking into consideration the views of the citizens.
25,966 people were polled in the online survey by Twaweza East Africa and the Centre for Fiscal Affairs; conducted between May 19 and June 6 2023.
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Meanwhile, the Finance and Planning Committee of the National Assembly has made recommendations to a number of contentious clauses in the Finance Bill 2023, ahead of its tabling in Parliament on Tuesday.
Top on the recommendation list was the proposal to lower the 3% Housing Levy to 1.5 % which would only be deducted from employees.
The committee also suggested delaying its implementation until January 2024 in order to set up a solid legal foundation before it is implemented.
Chairperson of the committee and Molo MP Kuria Kimani on Sunday said they are also recommending that the 15% VAT on Digital Content Creation be reduced to 5.
The Committee has also recommended tax waivers on Agricultural inputs, vaccines, and electric cars.
While the committee offered a reprieve in relation to the housing levy, it maintained the proposed 16 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on fuel.
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