Small business owners in Nairobi are protesting against what they describe as high taxes levied by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

• The traders claim the high taxes make it difficult for them to make a profit.
• The protest involves small business owners in Nairobi.
• The primary grievance is the taxation policy imposed by the KRA.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has clarified that the Sh3.2 million minimum yield for consolidated cargo is a risk-management benchmark, not a fixed tax.

• This benchmark is a 28 percent increase from the previous Sh2.5 million.
• The KRA is responding to concerns from small-scale traders in markets like Kamukunji, Gikomba, and Nyamakima.
• The actual tax payable is determined by the goods' nature, value, and classification, not this benchmark.

Nairobi traders shut shops and protested on August 28, 2026, over a revised Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs benchmark for consolidated cargo that increased the minimum yield from Sh2.5 million to Sh3.2 million.

• The increase represents a 28 percent rise, adding Sh700,000 to the previous benchmark.
• Small-scale importers, represented by traders in markets like Kamukunji, Gikomba, and Nyamakima, argue this will significantly increase operating costs and reduce profits.
• The KRA clarified that the Sh3.2 million is a risk-management benchmark, not a fixed tax, and actual tax is based on goods' value, nature, and classification.

Business owners in Nairobi have closed their shops to protest against new tax policies and changes in customs valuation. The traders are demanding immediate intervention to address their grievances.

• The protest was triggered by new tax measures and customs valuation changes.
• The affected parties include various traders and business owners in Nairobi.
• The closure is a significant disruption, highlighting the urgency of the traders' demands for government review.

Nairobi traders are protesting an increase in the customs valuation benchmark for consolidated cargo, leading to police deployment and business disruptions in the central business district.

• The benchmark for consolidated cargo has increased by 28 percent, from Sh2.5 million to Sh3.2 million.
• Traders are protesting against the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
• A section of businesses in the CBD remained closed on Friday, August 28th, as traders gathered for a march to the KRA offices.

Small business traders staged a protest in Nairobi CBD, demonstrating against taxation and changes to customs valuation.

• The protests occurred along City Hall Way, Kenyatta Avenue, and Moi Avenue.
• The group protesting was composed of small business traders.
• The key issues raised were taxation and changes to customs valuation.

Small traders in Kenya have vowed to hold weekly protests every Friday, escalating their opposition to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)'s decision to increase customs benchmark rates.

• The benchmark for a 40-foot consolidated container has been raised from Sh2.5 million to Sh3.2 million, a 28 percent increase.
• Key figures involved include the Small Traders Association, demanding negotiations, and KRA Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Lilian Nyawanda, who states the increase was agreed upon with stakeholders.
• The protests continue despite the KRA's claim that the benchmark is not a fixed tax and was implemented on August 21 after a 30-day preparation period.

Nairobi traders engaged in running battles with police and used teargas on Friday, shutting down their businesses to protest new taxation and changes to customs valuation.

• Traders took to the streets in the Central Business District.
• The protest involved confrontations and the use of teargas.
• Businesses were closed to express dissatisfaction with recent tax policies.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has clarified the purpose of the Sh3.2 million customs valuation threshold following protests from traders in Nairobi.

• The Sh3.2 million threshold is a minimum reference point for simplified customs clearance and risk management, not a flat tax rate.
• The announcement was made by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
• Traders had been protesting in Nairobi concerning the valuation threshold.