Summary:
Nairobi slum residents and Jua Kali contractors join forces, endorsing the housing levy amidst legal battles. As protests unfold, the levy’s fate hangs in the balance.
In a display of solidarity, residents of Nairobi’s slums and Jua Kali contractors converged in peaceful protests to voice their support for the Kenya Kwanza Government’s housing levy.
The tax, approved by Parliament as outlined in the Finance Act 2023, mandates a 1.5% deduction from individuals’ payslips.
Despite the High Court overturning the levy following a challenge by Senator Okiya Omtatah, a stay order until January keeps the controversial tax in limbo.
Led by the Jua Kali Contractors National Umbrella Body, protesters emphasized the levy’s importance as a lifeline, fearing the potential ruin of their future if it were to be scrapped.
Chanting ‘bado mapambano’ and displaying placards with slogans like ”Nyumba Bora Maisha Bora!” (Better Homes, Better Lives), the demonstrators marched through key streets, urging Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua not to relent.
Police provided security as the protesters weaved through Harambee Avenue and Parliament Road, expressing their intent to present a petition to Parliament in support of the housing levy.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING’A
President William Ruto defended the tax, stating it is a vital avenue for job creation and the construction of a quarter-million housing units annually across the country.
The High Court, however, deemed the levy discriminatory and in violation of the constitution. Judge David Majanja stated that the government failed to provide a rational explanation for exclusively imposing the housing levy on formal sector workers.
While the court approved a 45-day stay of the order, Okiya Omtatah secured a significant victory, with the Court of Appeal certifying his application to vacate stay orders, as reported by Topnews.co.ke.
President Ruto remains resolute in implementing the housing levy, citing successful models in countries like Korea and Singapore.
The political landscape and legal challenges continue to shape the fate of the housing levy, reflecting a complex interplay of public opinion, legal decisions, and political will.