Housing levy coming down to 1.5 per cent, says Gatanga MP

By Peter Ochieng

The housing levy is coming down to 1.5 per cent, from the 3 per cent proposed in the Finance Bill, 2023.

According to Gatanga Member of Parliament (MP) Edward Muriu, president William Ruto has listened to Kenyans, and okayed the coming down of the levy.

“Thank you your Excellency William Samoei Ruto for listening to Kenyans on the Finance bill proposals. Housing levy coming down from 3% to 1.5%, is welcomed by everyone,” wrote the MP in a statement shared on social media.

The MP accompanied the statement with a photo of what seems to be a meeting with president Ruto, and other people.

Muriu serves as the Secretary of Legal Affairs for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The party is headed by the president.

The legislature urged the Head of State to confront head on, power purchase agreements in order to reduce the cost of power in the country.

“The next battle front is KPLC power bills. They have doubled. Confront the power purchase agreements head on. Kenyans are behind you.”

The revelation on the reduction of the housing levy comes hours after Francis Kimani Kuria, chairman of the finance committee in the National Assembly said members had recommended reduction of the levy from 3 to 1.5 per cent.

They also recommended postponement of implementation of the levy to January, 2024, to leave room for enacting of laws to govern the levy.

The Finance Bill, 2023 will be tabled in the National Assembly this week, before the 2023/2024 budget is read on 15th June, 2023.