The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has waived Sh9.1 billion in taxes over two months to shield consumers from escalating fuel prices. This measure follows the government's decision to slash Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products.

• Forgone tax revenue: Sh9.1 billion
• Involved organization: Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
• Key contributing factor: Reduction of VAT on petroleum products from 16 percent to 8 percent

Kenya's Ministry of Health is proposing new rules to completely ban shisha smoking and all waterpipe tobacco products, including herbal and flavored variants, citing evolving public health risks.

• The draft rules, titled Public Health (Prohibition of Shisha Smoking and Waterpipe Tobacco Products) Rules, 2026, aim to close loopholes in the existing 2017 regulations.
• The Cabinet Secretary for Health has developed these rules, which also address the spread of infectious diseases through shared waterpipe equipment.
• Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments by June 30, 2026, with public hearings scheduled in various counties.

The Kenyan government plans to use the Affordable Housing Levy collections as collateral for a Sh100 billion loan, potentially making the deduction a long-term feature on workers' payslips.

• The Kenya Kwanza administration aims to build one million affordable housing units by 2027.
• The levy requires salaried workers and employers each to contribute 1.5 per cent of gross pay.
• This securitisation strategy, detailed in a Parliamentary committee report, aims to bridge a Sh118 billion funding gap and could extend beyond the current administration's tenure.