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Kenya President, William Ruto has announced plans to tax Kenyan content creators, especially those earning from monetisation opportunities introduced earlier this year.
Speaking at the KEPSA 20th Anniversary in Nairobi, he emphasised the need for fairness in taxation, noting that while some creators earn as much as KSh 1 million, many others earning less still pay taxes. “If you earn KSh 1 million, isn’t it fair to contribute to the tax kitty, especially when we’ve enabled you to reach that level?” Ruto said.
According to Techpoint Africa, the proposed Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aims to bring online income earners and digital operators into the tax bracket. This follows earlier deals Kenya struck with platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok, enabling content creators to monetise their work.
Ruto highlighted the diverse talents of Kenyan youth in areas like music, fashion, and digital animation. However, the bill also proposes a 15 percent excise duty on social media and internet services, which could raise costs for millions of users, including creators and small businesses.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who introduced the bill, said its part of efforts to widen Kenya’s tax base after the Finance Bill 2024 faced backlash earlier this year.
Reactions to the proposal have been mixed — some support the government’s push for fair taxation, while critics argue it could stifle innovation and slow down growth in Kenya’s vibrant digital economy.
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