Kenya police deployed as traders march on tax authority over new import levies

Nairobi — Police have been deployed around the Archives, Luthuli Avenue, and Railways Roundabout in Nairobi’s central business district as traders prepare to march to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) offices. The protest targets a revised customs valuation benchmark, which traders say raises taxes on imported goods. The new system increases the taxable value of imports, effectively raising the amount traders must pay. Demonstrators argue the change will hurt small businesses and push up consumer prices. Security forces are on standby to manage the march, which is expected to disrupt traffic in the city centre. No official statement from the KRA or the police has been issued yet.