The new tax package was approved by parliament last week and will double the tax on fuel to 16% and introduce a new housing levy, a move expected to have a ripple effect in a country hamstrung by high inflation.
NAIROBI - Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday signed into law a bill that raises taxes on a wide range of items, the presidency said, defying criticism that it will pile more economic hardship on citizens.
Ruto - who took office in September after a bitterly fought election - is seeking to fill the government's depleted coffers and repair a heavily-indebted economy inherited from his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, who splurged on major infrastructure projects. The new law - expected to generate more than $2.1 billion - will hike taxes on basic goods and services including food and mobile money transfers.
The opposition led by Ruto's rival Raila Odinga has threatened fresh demonstrations over the tax package saying it will strain already squeezed incomes.
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