Nairobi police use teargas to disperse traders protesting KRA tax rules

Protests erupted in Nairobi's Central Business District as traders demonstrated against new customs valuation rules. The unrest intensified when protesters attempted to access the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) headquarters at Times Tower, leading to running battles with police. Law enforcement officers deployed teargas along major roads, including Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue, to disperse the crowds and block access to government offices.

The demonstrations were driven by concerns over a purported 28 percent hike in customs valuation. In response to the tension, the KRA clarified that the Ksh3.2 million minimum threshold for consolidated cargo is a risk-management reference rather than a direct tax liability. The agency stated that the figure is used to simplify customs processes for small-scale traders by allowing them to pool shipments, thereby reducing administrative burdens.

According to the KRA, the threshold was revised from Ksh2.5 million to account for changes in exchange rates, freight charges, and regional tax laws. While the agency maintains the arrangement ensures compliance and protects revenue, traders argued the new benchmark increases the cost of doing business. The confrontation resulted in paralyzed traffic and the closure of several businesses in the city center to prevent damage.