Publishers want books zero-rated

The Kenya Publishers Association wants the Government to amend the Finance Bill 2016 to have books included in the list of zero-rated items in order to have more students access the reading materials.

The enactment of the VAT Act 2013 saw publishers encounter dwindling sales as the higher cost of books was passed on to consumers.

Association chairman David Waweru says there is concern especially in schools with most homes unable to afford crucial reading material leading to what he terms as a drop in education standards.

The VAT has also hurt book stores with at least six closing down in the last two years.

Text Book Centre managing director Rajiv Chowdhry says buyers have been forced to reduce the number of books they buy, affecting sales for most retailers.