19 March 2024: Kenya’s President William Ruto has signed into law a controversial bill, paving the way for the government to continue collecting a housing levy of 1.5% of a worker’s monthly pay.
The levy aims to fund the construction of affordable housing for low-income citizens, though its implementation has sparked widespread criticism.
Opposition voices and a significant portion of the public have expressed dismay over the levy, viewing it as an additional burden amidst a slew of new taxes.
Legal hurdles previously delayed the bill’s enactment, with a judge halting deductions due to a lack of a proper legal framework. Despite objections from opposition lawmakers, the bill was amended and ratified by Members of Parliament last week. (Read the full announcement).