President Ruto announces new measures to lower taxes, land costs and create jobs

Speaking during Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, Ruto said the proposals were aimed at putting more money in the pockets of Kenyans, making property ownership more affordable and expanding opportunities in the digital economy.

The President said the government had prepared a proposal to exempt workers earning Ksh 32,333 or less per month from Pay As You Earn (PAYE) income tax.

“For workers on modest income, every shilling saved means more money for food, transport, school expenses and the needs of their families,” Ruto said.

Secondly, Ruto said the National Treasury had developed proposals to exempt land transactions valued at Ksh.1 million or less from stamp duty and introduce progressive rates for higher-value transactions.

He said the measure would reduce the cost of acquiring and transferring land, particularly for low-income earners, and expand access to property ownership.

The third proposal seeks to remove the 25 per cent import duty on mobile phones through the necessary legal and customs processes.

Ruto said making mobile phones more affordable would enable more Kenyans to access opportunities in the digital economy, noting that the devices had become essential tools for education, business, banking and employment.

“A mobile phone is no longer a luxury. It is a classroom, a marketplace, a bank and an office for many Kenyans, a gateway to employment,” he said.

The fourth measure involves expanding the National Internship Programme from January 2027 to accommodate an additional 50,000 young Kenyans graduating from universities, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).

Ruto said the beneficiaries would receive monthly stipends, with placements conducted through a transparent, digital and merit-based system.

He added that the government would introduce incentives for private employers to provide meaningful work experience to young people.

The President said the programme was intended to address the challenge faced by graduates who struggle to secure employment due to a lack of work experience.

“Too many young people cannot secure employment without experience, and yet they cannot gain experience without employment,” he said.

Ruto said he had directed the National Treasury to present the proposals to Parliament next week.

The measures, if approved and implemented, would affect personal income tax obligations, the cost of land transactions, mobile phone prices and access to internship opportunities for young people