75% of Kenyans oppose Finance Bill 2023 - Poll

At least 75% of Kenyans have expressed strong opposition to the Finance Bill 2023, a survey by the Centre for Fiscal Affairs (CFA) and Twaweza has shown.

In the online survey conducted between May 19 and June 6, 2023, 83.8% of respondents expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of citizen participation in shaping the Finance Bill.

Meanwhile, the amendments which were favored by Kenyans were: exempting the LPG gas from VAT (67% support) and reducing excise on bank money transfers from 20% to 15% (68% support).

Respondents also supported the lowering of excise duty on data bundles to 15% from 20% of the excisable value (68% support).

Alternatives offered by Kenyans on revenue generation include: addressing corruption, reducing wastage in government, broadening the tax base by simplifying tax laws, targeting untapped sources and strengthening tax administration.

Kenyans also called for transparency in order to help build trust between citizens and government institutions.

Following this, Members of the National Assembly have been urged to make an informed vote on the Bill taking into consideration the views of the citizens.

25,966 people were polled in the online survey by Twaweza East Africa and the Centre for Fiscal Affairs; conducted between May 19 and June 6 2023.