Murang’a MP Ndindi Nyoro has strongly opposed plans to introduce additional levies on agricultural products, saying farmers should be protected from excessive taxation instead of being subjected to new financial burdens. Nyoro noted that tea, coffee and food crops remain the backbone of Kenya’s economy and livelihoods, arguing that any move to impose more taxes on the agricultural sector would hurt millions of farmers. He urged parliamentary committees handling tax proposals to reject any attempts to increase levies on tea production. “We are not going to accept any levy added on tea. As leaders, our responsibility is not to look for new burdens to place on citizens but to find ways of reducing the burden they already carry,” he said. The former Budget and Appropriations Committee chairperson also criticized the government’s borrowing practices, claiming the country is accumulating debt at an unsustainable rate. According to Nyoro, Kenya is taking on approximately KSh4 billion in net debt daily, excluding loans used to refinance existing obligations. He warned that continued borrowing could place a heavy burden on future generations and questioned the government’s debt management strategy, arguing that taxpayers deserve greater accountability on how borrowed funds are utilized. Nyoro further opposed plans to use Housing Levy collections as collateral for loans, describing the proposal as reckless and unlawful. He claimed the government intends to borrow against future Housing Levy revenues and warned that such arrangements could expose Kenyans to additional debt obligations. “The Housing Levy is already a contentious issue. Using it as collateral for further borrowing is illegal and irresponsible,” he said. The legislator also raised concerns over what he termed a lack of transparency in government borrowing arrangements, arguing that Parliament should be fully involved in scrutinizing any proposals that could increase the country’s debt burden. On the proposed infectious disease research facility in Laikipia, Nyoro dismissed claims that public opposition is driven by misinformation. He argued that Kenyans have sufficient information to make informed judgments about the project and should not be dismissed when raising concerns. The MP cited measures taken by the United States government regarding Ebola-related risks, saying such actions demonstrate that concerns surrounding the facility are legitimate and deserve public discussion. Nyoro maintained that many Kenyans have rejected the proposal and urged the government to listen to public concerns before proceeding with the project in Laikipia or any other part of the country. He concluded by calling for prudent management of public finances, reduced taxation on farmers and policies that ease the economic burden facing ordinary Kenyans.
Ndindi Nyoro: Stop Burdening Farmers With More Taxes
