Editor's Review

Chaos broke out when protesters attempted to access the KRA headquarters at Times Tower.

Police in Nairobi confronted traders, who had taken to the Central Business District (CBD) to protest tough business conditions due to an alleged 28 percent hike in customs valuation.

The business owners assembled at the Kenya National Archives on Friday, August 28, where they chanted anti-government slogans.

While the protests were largely peaceful, tensions rose after they attempted to access the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) headquarters at Times Tower to confront the tax agency over the purported hike.

Police engaged the protesters in running battles as they tried to disperse the entrepreneurs and stop them from accessing roads leading to Times Tower.

The law enforcement officers lobbed teargas canisters at the protesters along major roads in Nairobi CBD, including Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, Harambee Avenue and Haile Selassie Avenue.

Read More

  1. President Ruto Directs Police to Pursue Sponsors of Political Violence
  2. President Ruto Unveils New Police Uniforms
  3. KRA Explains Consolidated Cargo Tax Rules for Small Traders After Concerns

A file photo of traders protesting in Nairobi CBD.

The police also blocked access to roads leading to the Parliament and the Nairobi County Government offices, and shot in the air to scare off the protesters

Traffic was paralysed in most parts of the CBD as motorists used available routes to drive away from the large number of protesters.

Notably, several businesses in Nairobi remained closed to avert loss or damage amid the confrontation between law enforcement officers and protesters.

The protests proceeded despite an earlier clarification by KRA on the new consolidated cargo tax rules for small businesses.

KRA said the consolidation arrangement is intended to simplify customs processes for small traders while ensuring compliance with the law, protection of government revenue and a fair business environment. 

"The valuation of imported goods for Customs purposes is governed by law. Under Section 122 and the Fourth Schedule of the East African Community Customs Management Act, Customs duty is assessed based on the transaction value of the goods.

The Authority explained that Kenya applied the basis since it adopted the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Customs Valuation Agreement," the statement read.

KRA explained that customs valuation is based on the transaction value of imported goods where the importer provides the required commercial documentation and meets applicable legal and risk-management requirements.