Kenya is considering reintroducing some taxes that, in the face of protests in June, it had removed from next year's draft budget, the finance minister announced today at the presentation of 50 measures.

Finance Minister John Mbadi said that the government intends to introduce 49 tax measures to raise around 150 billion shillings, including some that have caused popular discontent and dozens of deaths.

"If they harm the environment, they should pay to help repair the damage they have caused," argued Mbadi, one of the four opposition members who joined the reshuffled government in July, referring to the reintroduction of environmental taxes, including on electronic products and plastic packaging.

President William Ruto, who came to power in 2022 with the promise of defending the poorest, was forced to withdraw an unpopular draft budget at the end of June after demonstrations, initially peaceful, evolved into clashes that left at least 60 people dead.

Following the withdrawal of the budget proposal, announced on June 26, Ruto announced an increase in debt of 1.2 billion euros, and a reduction in public spending of 1.3 billion euros, which caused the financial rating agencies Moody's and Fitch to downgrade the country's rating, further complicating its budget situation. (Source: RM)