Jalang'o takes aim at Eric Omondi, Amber Ray and other content creators over 15% tax

Lang'ata MP Phelix Odiwour alias Jalang'o has pointed an accusing finger at local content creators, saying they are to blame for the government's bid to tax their earnings by 15 percent as captured in the proposed Finance Bill 2023.

As a content creator himself, Jalang'o says he was initially against the proposed tax deductions on grounds that content creators don't make loads of cash, but soon after changed his stance after witnessing how majority of them document their lavish lifestyles on social media.

"How do I convince the government or people who don't understand content creation that you do not have money and you can't pay the tax when what you show out there is that you are millionaires?" posed Jalang'o in a YouTube video on Friday.

Jalang'o added that when the now controversial bill was first tabled before Parliament, other lawmakers pointed out how content creators are swimming in money and uploading pictures and videos of their posh lifestyles on social media.

"They asked me why Oga Obina was able to gift himself a posh VW Touareg for his 33rd birthday which would easily cost between Ksh.6 million and Ksh.7 million depending on where he bought the vehicle but I responded by saying that that was an isolated incident and maybe he acquired the funds from elsewhere and not content creation," said Jalang'o.

The lawmakers, Jalang'o said, proceeded to show him a video of socialite Amber Ray alleging that she spends approximately Ksh.300,000 a day to sustain her daily activities.

"Do the math. If she spends that in a week, how much does she spend in a month?" posed the Lang'ata MP.

Comedian Eric Omondi, Jalang'o went on, was the next content creator whose luxurious lifestyle was inquired into by the lawmakers.

"Last month alone Eric made more than Ksh.10 million from content creation alone. If you go to his Instagram page you'll see advertisements for a number of different brands. I know his rate card since I've paid him for some work before; he doesn't come cheap," said Jalang'o.

He went on to mention comedian Mulamwa, singer Bahati, Crazy Kennar, Eve Mungai, Kabi wa Jesus and a host of other content creators whose opulent lifestyles were probed during the Parliamentary proceedings.

"You people brought these problems on yourself. The government is not going to relent until you pay," said Jalang'o.

Jalang'o is of the opinion that instead of completely rejecting the proposed deductions, content creators should band together and come up with a counter offer and table it before the state.