By AFP 28 November 2023 | 10:41 am A Kenyan court ruled on Tuesday that a controversial housing levy introduced by President William Ruto was illegal, dealing a blow to his plans to shore up depleted government coffers. Gavel PHOTO: Shutterstock A Kenyan court ruled on Tuesday that a controversial housing levy introduced by President William Ruto was illegal, dealing a blow to his plans to shore up depleted government coffers. The 1.5-percent levy on the salaries of all taxpaying Kenyans, to be matched by employers, was signed into law in June to fund an affordable housing programme. A three-judge panel at the High Court in Nairobi said the introduction of the tax lacked a comprehensive legal framework and the exclusion of informal workers was “discriminatory and irrational”. “An order is granted prohibiting the respondents from collecting… the charge known as the affordable housing act,” said judge David Majanja. The levy was imposed as part of a finance law that raised taxes on a wide range of items in a move that has had a ripple effect in a country already hamstrung by high inflation. Anger over the rising prices, particularly for basics such as food and fuel, led to a series of sometimes deadly protests against Ruto’s government earlier this year. East Africa’s economic powerhouse is facing a host of challenges, including depleted government revenue and a plunging currency that has sent repayment costs on a public debt mountain soaring. The government has asked the court for a stay order on its ruling. NOW Gunmen suspected to be members of the Biafra Liberation Army have killed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the Ahiazu Mbaise local government area and an inspector in Imo State. It was gathered that the DPO and his orderly were ambushed on Monday, 27 November, 2023 at Ahiara junction while refueling their operational… 11 mins ago German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday staunchly defended his government’s record on spending after a bombshell court ruling on crucial debt rules sparked a budget crisis. Here is a look at the crisis rocking Europe’s biggest economy and threatening a collapse of the fractious ruling coalition: – What are the debt rules? – When Angela… 12 mins ago The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 3 suspected armed robbers Taiwo Oredoyin age 27, Taiwo Kuti 35, and Folorunsho Saheed 36 that invaded Ipara-Remo and Ode-Remo communities, hosting some students of the Gateway Polytechnic, Saapade where one female student was raped in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State. The spokesperson of Ogun… 26 mins ago A Kenyan court ruled on Tuesday that a controversial housing levy introduced by President William Ruto was illegal, dealing a blow to his plans to shore up depleted government coffers. 35 mins ago Following efforts to boost production in the country, the National Agency for Land Agricultural Development Authority (NALDA) revealed that it has recorded bumper harvest across states. 45 mins ago In a rare statement on security, Togo’s government has reported that more than 30 people have been killed so far this year in “terrorist” attacks in the country’s north. 1 hour ago Chinese leader Xi Jinping has ordered greater protection for international firms’ rights and intellectual property, state media reported Tuesday, as Beijing works to lure in foreign companies spooked by a crackdown and an ailing economy. 1 hour ago An elevator carrying workers to the surface at a giant South African platinum mine plunged out of control killing 11 and injuring 75, the mine operators said Tuesday. Impala Platinum said the “devastating accident” happened on Monday at its Rustenburg mine, northwest of Johannesburg, as more than 80 employees were leaving a shaft at the… 1 hour ago Hurricane force winds and snowfall have left 10 people dead and 23 people injured in Ukraine, piling pressure on emergency services and an energy grid already burdened by Russia’s invasion. 2 hours ago The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has alerted Nigerians about the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Debit Card swapping fraud. EFCC issued this warning in a statement signed by spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, with the Commission inundated with barrage of complaints from well-meaning Nigerians concerning unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts. Oyewale in the statement said…
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