Nairobi residents have reacted to reports that the government plans to tax airtime in a bid to raise money to fund projects.
The city residents say that the plan targets common Kenyans who are struggling every day to make ends meet.
According to residents, the government should have looked for other things to tax and not airtime.
“Taxing airtime means that common Kenyans are going to suffer as they will no longer afford airtime,” said Jane Kawira, a retail shop owner in the city.
Kawira said that the government should tax other things and allow Kenyans to enjoy their communication services.
“I think the decision is ill-advised and aims at making Kenyans poorer,” Jacinta Majid , a resident said.
She accused the government of allegedly trying to cripple many activities conducted through phone by a sizeable number of Kenyans.
“Imposing tax on airtime is a clear indication that the government is out to exploit common people who have nothing,” said Moses Nyambane.
Nyambane said that imposing the tax on airtime will see the service providers charge more, making it expensive for Kenyans to communicate.
There are reports that the national government intends to impose a mandatory tax on airtime.
The state is said to be seeking to tax benefits like house allowance that senior government officials get in efforts to raise money for projects.
The government further seeks to tax more on mobile money transfer services.
Already, some mobile money transfer companies have increased their transaction charges.