Majority of Kenyans oppose taxes on fuel, housing levy - University of Nairobi survey

This is according to a new survey done in conjunction between the University of Nairobi Institute for Development Studies(IDS) and Afrobarometer, a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network.

"Nine in 10 Kenyans (91%) disapprove of the increased tax on petroleum products. Seven in 10 (71%) disapprove of the housing levy for salaried employees to fund the construction of affordable housing," the reports indicate.

Further, the report released on Wednesday reveals that more than six in 10 Kenyans (62%) oppose raising tax revenues to reduce government borrowing.

On perceived widespread corruption in the country, the survey indicates that almost half (46%) of citizens think that “most” or “all” tax officials are involved in corruption.

Consequently, on the issue of corruption, the police top the list of those perceived to be most corrupt at 69%, while tax officials follow with a perception rating of 46%.

MPs and the presidency also rank highly on matters of corruption perception, polling at 44%.

The survey also finds that 17% of religious leaders are involved in corrupt dealings.

In the research findings released as part of a wider research that captured almost all sectors of the economy, most young people want the government to listen keenly to their plight, more so on education and jobs, either within the country and abroad, and not throwing any job that would come their way.

According to Vanessa Buyayi, a GEN Z activist, despite the government pointing to the availability of jobs abroad, most of what is found is driver and maids’ jobs which could be undertaken by persons who have not gone to school.

The survey was done between April and May through sampling and face to face inyterviews of about 2400 respondents.