NAIROBI,Kenya – In the web of Kenya’s fiscal policies lies a troubling trend – a government seemingly fixated on extracting every last shilling from its citizens, regardless of the repercussions. What began as a purported effort to provide affordable housing through a dubious housing levy has spiralled into a saga of opaque schemes and unjust impositions.
The recent unveiling of the motor vehicle circulation tax serves as yet another testament to this insatiable appetite for revenue, with little regard for transparency or public welfare.
Let’s dissect the facade of benevolence behind the housing levy. Sold to the public under the guise of fostering homeownership, this levy stands as a monument to governmental opacity and misplaced priorities. Despite mandatory contributions, the fine print offers scant assurance of tangible benefits. It’s akin to pouring money into a black hole, with no guarantee of ever seeing returns.
Worse still, should one meet an untimely demise before reaping the fruits of their contributions, their hard-earned funds vanish into thin air, leaving bereaved families grappling with the cruel reality of financial loss. Not even your family will inherit the contributions to secure a home. In essence, it operates more like a pyramid scheme than a legitimate avenue for societal betterment.
As if that weren’t enough, the government’s latest foray into taxation comes in the form of the motor vehicle circulation tax, a concept so convoluted that even its proponents struggle to articulate its purpose.
Yet, despite the glaring lack of clarity, it appears destined to be rammed through legislative channels, leaving Kenyan taxpayers to swallow, yet another bitter pill without so much as a coherent explanation. The spectacle of MPs stumbling over basic inquiries on national television only serves to underscore the veil of incompetence that shrouds these fiscal endeavours.
However, the issue extends far beyond mere ineptitude; it speaks to a systemic failure to address rampant corruption, lack of employment and misallocation of resources. While hardworking citizens are burdened with ever-increasing taxes, millions are channelled to the Offices of the President and Vice President, with little to show in terms of tangible benefits for the public.
The impending resurgence of exorbitant salaries for Cabinet Administrative Secretaries further underscores this egregious mismanagement of public funds. It’s a grim cycle where the burden falls squarely on the shoulders of the taxpayer, while those in power continue to line their pockets with impunity.
In the face of such shameless disregard for the welfare of its citizens, one might be tempted to seek solace in prayer. Indeed, the notion of a national prayer crusade to implore divine intervention seems almost rational when confronted with the sheer absurdity of governmental policies. Perhaps the First Lady, with her influential platform, could indeed spearhead such an initiative, if only to inject a semblance of reason into the corridors of power.
Yet, even in the face of such adversity, there remains a glimmer of hope – the collective voice of a populace unwilling to be shackled by the chains of governmental greed.
It’s a call to action, demanding accountability, transparency, and a genuine commitment to the welfare of all citizens. Ultimately, it is the people who hold the power to effect change, and it is their voices that must resonate loudest in the halls of governance.
Kenya finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with a government hell-bent on taxing its citizens into submission. From the shadowy depths of the housing levy to the murky waters of the motor vehicle circulation tax, the path ahead seems fraught with peril.
Yet, amidst the darkness, there remains a flicker of resilience, a determination to reclaim control of our collective destiny. It’s a battle worth fighting, for in the end, it is not just our wallets at stake, but the very soul of our nation.
The writer, Geoffrey Odhiambo is a lawyer and Programme officer at the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya)
