Kenyan police use tear gas against traders protesting import duty hike

Police in Kenya deployed tear gas against small-scale traders who took to the streets in central Nairobi to protest a substantial hike in import duties. Hundreds of businesses reportedly closed as demonstrations brought parts of the capital to a standstill on Friday.

Traders expressed frustration over the rising cost of living and business expenses, arguing that the increased duties will drive up the cost of bringing goods into the country. They specifically cited concerns that the higher charges will hurt small businesses that depend on consolidated shipments to minimize import costs.

Muturi Kariuki, a trader participating in the demonstrations, stated, "We are standing for our citizenship and our right to do business and our right to build our future." Many traders closed their businesses to protest, while others did so out of safety concerns.

The Kenya Revenue Authority defended the duty increase, which took effect last week. The authority claims the higher import duty is intended to address the under-declaration and undervaluation of imported goods. This practice, they argue, disadvantages compliant businesses and local manufacturers.

The duty change raises the minimum customs benchmark for a 40-foot container to 3.2 million Kenyan shillings ($24,700) from 2.5 million shillings ($19,320). The authority clarified that the 3.2 million shilling figure is a minimum reference point, not a fixed value for every container, and importers whose goods exceed this value must declare their actual worth and pay applicable duties.

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We are standing for our citizenship and our right to do business and our right to build our future