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the nation, announcing he would not sign the Finance Bill 2024, stating that "the people have spoken," and the bill was withdrawn.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
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Lefaso.net.
On June 6, 2026, the Rwandan Embassy in Burkina Faso and the Rwandan community in the country organized a commemorative ceremony in Ouagadougou for the 32nd anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda. The genocide, which began on April 7, 1994, resulted in the deaths of over a million people in 100 days. The event gathered representatives from the Burkinabe government, ambassadors, members of diplomatic and consular corps, and foreign community representatives. Monseigneur Eric Soviguidi, the Apostolic Nuncio for Burkina-Niger, delivered a key address, emphasizing remembrance and hope. He prayed for the victims, their families, and the Rwandan people, asking for an end to hatred and the promotion of integral human development. The ceremony, marked by a solemn atmosphere, included a silent march by Rwandan youth in black attire, who also shared messages on memory, education, and conflict prevention. The commemoration featured candle lighting, a minute of silence, and a documentary screening titled "From Despair to Hope," which chronicled Rwanda's journey. Messages from the United Nations Secretary-General, the Burkinabe government, and the Rwandan Ambassador to Burkina Faso were also shared. The Rwandan Ambassador's message, read by Me Fulgence Habiyaremye, president of the Rwandan community in Burkina Faso, highlighted the importance of remembering the victims and upholding the "Never Again" mandate. Me Habiyaremye recounted the pre-1994 persecutions against Tut
A delegation from the Burkinabe Football Federation FBF presented the trophies won by the U15 women's national team, who were recently African vice-champions, to the Minister of Family and Solidarity, Lieutenant-Colonel Passowendé Pélagie Kaboré. This announcement was made on Sunday, June 7, 2026, by the communication department of the Ministry of Family. This performance at the U15 African School Championship, held last April in Harare, Zimbabwe, highlights the progress of Burkinabe women's football on the continental stage and the commitment of young players to represent their nation. The women's football commission used this meeting to request institutional support to further promote the sport. The Minister of Family praised the young athletes' journey and reaffirmed her department's commitment to supporting all initiatives that foster the development of girls and women, particularly in sports.
The Ministry of Family and Solidarity and the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA held discussions on Friday, June 5, 2026, in Ouagadougou, regarding the restructuring of women's centers. These structures, historically dedicated to women's emancipation, are now seeking revitalization. The project, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Passowendé Pélagie Kaboré of the Ministry, aims to transform these spaces into modern centers for training, production, and economic empowerment. Yves Sassenrath, the new UNFPA Resident Representative in Burkina Faso, expressed the organization's readiness to support this reform. Plans include assessing needs, providing budgetary support, and establishing a pilot center to serve as a national model. The discussions also addressed combating gender-based violence, supporting the recovery of displaced populations, and improving basic social services. This initiative is part of an effort to strengthen social policies and women's empowerment in Burkina Faso.