Protests At Nairobi CBD Over Ruto Housing Levy

Hundreds of Kenyans on Thursday, December 28 staged protests at the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) in support of the Housing Levy championed by President William Ruto.

Photos and videos seen by Viral Tea showed the protesters, employed at the Jua Kali sector, in support of the implementation of the Affordable Housing Levy which sought to deduct 1.5 per cent from employees' salaries in contribution towards the Affordable Housing Programme.

The protesters took to various streets at Nairobi CBD bearing banners and stickers most of which bore the statement "We support the Housing Levy". 

Some of them commandeered a lorry filled with building pebbles concerning the ongoing housing project.

Protests in Nairobi CBD in support of Housing Levy on December 28, 2023. /X

Other than Jua Kali employees, those from community-based organizations and residents from informal areas joined in the peaceful demonstrations which began at Parliament buildings.

As depicted in messages on their banners, the Affordable Housing Programme was viewed as a means of giving them a decent standard of living compared to the issue of slums in the city which contain deplorable standards of living.

The agitated protesters argued that court cases, one of which nullified the Housing Levy, were meant to sabotage the program, denying them a chance to get decent homes as envisioned by President Ruto.

The demonstrations also took place on social media, with the Housing Levy the top trend on X by the time of publishing, a matter which sparked a debate as some netizens claimed that the Kenya Kwanza government was bankrolling the demonstrations.

"That Housing Levy refund will be hard to get from this government given that they are sponsoring such a protest," Shirley Sein wrote.

"For Farce's Sake! Just call it out - Government of Kenya-sponsored demo on Housing Levy, a direct "wananchi" -show of threat and intimidation to Appeal Courts after they certified as urgent, an application before it.

"It's 2023 - don't be afraid to do the Lord's Work," weighed in journalist Saddique Shaban.

The Housing Levy was one of the sections declared null and void in the Finance Act 2023 by the High Court on Tuesday, November 28.

The judges had revealed that the Finance Act 2023 amendment to Section 84 of the Finance Act amending the Employment Act introducing the Housing Levy was unconstitutional, adding that the levy had lacked a comprehensive legal framework and was irrational.

The levy was accused of violating the principles of taxation and as contained in the Finance Act 2023 is discriminatory and unfair for making a distinction between the formal and informal sectors thus creating unequal and inequitable principles.

"We know what we must do but we cannot gather the courage to do it, but this time round, whatever it takes we are going to implement it."

I'm telling you, this time round, I'm implementing the Housing Levy- President Ruto#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/NcdDCn6cTL — Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) December 13, 2023