Kenya's tax imperative clashes with legitimacy crisis
via Lefaso.net3 min read
In June 2024, the Kenyan President withdrew a tax bill live on television due to public pressure, only for much of the same legislation to be quietly adopted by Parliament five months later. This situation highlights a broader issue beyond Kenya's borders. Since 2021, Kenya has been engaged in a program with the International Monetary Fund IMF, which has been extended and revised multiple times. The program's objectives are clear: consolidate public finances and increase domestic revenue, as the debt-to-GDP ratio exceeded 70%, leaving little fiscal room. The government of President Ruto introduced the Finance Bill 2024, aiming to raise 346 billion Kenyan shillings, or about 2.7 billion US dollars, in additional revenue. This included a 16% VAT on bread, an annual vehicle tax, and levies on mobile money transfers and digital services. The public's reaction was immediate and widespread, with thousands of Kenyans protesting in June, mobilized via social media under #RejectFinanceBill2024. The movement was youth-led, decentralized, and lacked identified political leadership. On June 25, the Parliament was stormed, leading to dozens of deaths in clashes with security forces, according to human rights organizations. On June 26, 2024, President William Ruto addressed the nation, announcing he would not sign the Finance Bill 2024, stating that "the people have spoken," and the bill was withdrawn. In December 2024, the Tax Laws Amendment Act, the Tax Procedures Amendment Act, and the
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Lefaso.net.
SITARAIL, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, launched a special "culture train" on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from Ouagadougou railway station. This initiative aims to provide free transportation for cultural actors and festival-goers to Bobo-Dioulasso, the host city for the 22nd edition of the National Culture Week SNC, which opens on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Nearly 400 participants benefited from this free transport to the economic capital to attend the biennial event. Joachim Ouédraogo, Deputy General Manager of AGL Burkina, stated that this initiative supports government actions and highlighted the group's commitment to national and international events like the SNC. He expressed joy at the enthusiasm surrounding the operation, which enabled 400 people to travel for free and fully participate in the SNC. Marguerite Douanio/Sou, representing the Minister of Culture, praised the gesture as highly patriotic. She conveyed the minister's message, describing the "culture train" as more than just transport; it symbolizes cultural diversity, carrying stories, knowledge, talents, and dreams. She thanked SITARAIL for its exemplary social responsibility, aligning with the vision of the country's highest authorities. Beneficiaries expressed their satisfaction. Rakieta Compaoré, a first-time train traveler, commended the organization from registration to boarding and thanked SITARAIL, wishing for a peaceful journey. Sanata Kaboré, also on her first train trip, shared her j
On the eve of the International Girls in ICT Day, Salimata Sawadogo, a computer engineer and doctoral student in artificial intelligence, emphasizes Africa's active involvement in designing digital solutions, particularly focusing on security from the outset. Specializing in cybersecurity, she integrates security into the design phase of systems, defining robust architectures and identifying vulnerabilities. Her doctoral research investigates why AI models, especially language models generating code, sometimes produce vulnerable code, aiming to make these technologies reliable and responsible. Sawadogo's journey into cybersecurity was sparked by realizing how a single error could compromise an entire system, leading her to a field traditionally underrepresented by women. She highlights curiosity, determination, and commitment as key to her success, including the acceptance of her first scientific article at an international conference in Canada in March 2025. Despite challenges in a male-dominated field, she advocates for perseverance. Currently with the Ministry of Digital Transition, Sawadogo aims to develop technology solutions tailored to African realities and plans to become a research-teacher, inspiring the next generation. She encourages young people to embrace digital careers, stressing that "nothing is impossible for someone who believes in themselves."
Burkinabe Head of State, President Ibrahim Traoré, met with administrative officials from the Guiriko region, led by Governor Mariama Konat/Gnanou, on the sidelines of the 2026 National Culture Week SNC. He provided new directives focusing on waste management, job creation, and citizen mobilization to support infrastructure projects. The delegation reported on the implementation of previous presidential directives and received new guidance to better support the Popular Progressive Revolution RPP. Key new directives include enforcing household waste management regulations, creating employment opportunities, and mobilizing the population to support road infrastructure projects in conjunction with the Faso Mêbo Agency.
ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY has announced a strategic partnership with HiFuture, an international brand known for its connected technology, premium design, and useful innovation. This collaboration aims to provide the Burkinabe market with access to smarter, more elegant, and relevant daily technologies. HiFuture offers a range of smartwatches featuring AMOLED displays, dual-core performance, health tracking, extensive sports modes, and Syntra™ AI integration. Syntra™ AI is designed to make the user experience more fluid, adaptive, and intuitive, offering intelligent performance, enhanced health tracking, and personalized recommendations for well-being and activity goals. HiFuture smartwatches boast features such as large AMOLED or IPS screens, up to 7 days of battery life, wireless calling, heart rate and SpO₂ monitoring, sleep tracking, over 100 sports modes, and water resistance ratings like IP68 or 5 ATM. Some premium models include dual-band GPS, support for six satellite systems, and a dual-core processor for a faster and more stable experience. ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY's objective is to build a technological ecosystem in Burkina Faso where innovation is not only spectacular but also genuinely useful, enhancing the local digital experience.