Editor's Review

Kenyans are set to endure even tougher times as the airtime tax takes effect on Friday, July 2nd 2021.

Kenyans are set to endure even tougher times as the airtime tax takes effect on Friday, July 2nd, 2021.

Kenya's second-largest network provider, Airtel has already effected the new tax rates which raised excises duty on telephone and data services from 15% to 20%.

Airtel Kenya Managing Director Prasanta Das Sarma announced that the network provider will raise its call rates to Ksh 2 plus taxes amounting to Ksh 2.78 per minute.

" Airtel Kenya has ensured that prices of data and voice bundles remain unchanged. Hence, there will be no changes to Amazing, Unliminet and Tubonge bundles, " the statement reads in part.

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The rise in excise duty is one of the government's rafts of measures that aim to raise more revenue as it struggles with increasing debt payments.

Another necessity that could see a sharp rise in prices is cooking gas.  Treasury reintroduced a 16% Value Added Tax (VAT) that will see the price of the basic necessity hit a 6 year high.

As of July 1st, Kenyans will pay an extra Ksh 350 for the 13 kg gas cylinder that will now retail at Ksh 2600. The 6 kg cylinder could retail for as high as sh 1200.