Kenya proposes new tax targeting TV stations airing foreign soap operas

Kenyans continue to shoulder more tax burden as President William Ruto’s administration proposes a new levy.

The new proposal of a 50 per cent tax (or more) targets local TV stations that air foreign film content like soap operas.

The plan was revealed by digital strategist Dennis Itumbi who was speaking during the inaugural Kenya Film Summit, held at Nairobi Cinema on Friday, 29 September.

“Most of our TV stations show soap operas and those are not subject to tax. Because they come in a flash disk and they start airing,” Itumbi said.

“Some of the sources of the money for the film fund will be some heavy taxation on anyone showing Telenovela. So you show telenovelas you have been escaping from tax for a long time …it will be fifty-fifty, or even higher than fifty per cent because we have local programs here why not show them?” Itumbi quipped.

He said the move aims at boosting the local film industry. It is, however, unclear when the plan will be implemented (if at all).

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