Win for Kenyans as Court Halts Ruto`s Housing levy

By Moses Muli

Published: Jan,26,2024 11:43 AM(EAT)

Three judges of Court of Appeal Justice  Lydia Achode,John Mativo and Mwaniki Gachoka have dismissed Ruto`s affordable Housing Levy.

In their ruling the three judges noted that the trial Court held that the housing levy was introduced without legal framework, it also held tha the Levy was targeting a section of Kenyans.

“In our view, public interest  lies in waiting the determination of the appeal. This is because if the stay sought is granted at this stage, shoud the appelate Court affirm the impugned decision, then some far reaching decisions that will have been undertaken pursuant to the impugned laws may not be reversible. public interest tilts in favour awaiting the determination of the issues raised in the intended appeals.”the ruling read.

In November last year, the High Court judge ruled that  petitions filed challenging the Finance Act 2023 violated Article 10, 2 (a) of the constitution.

Additionally the bench directed the conclusion of deductions following the expiration of the governments collection window on January 26.

The Court also highlighted the inequity in the Housing Levy targeting a specific group of Kenyans, specifically those with pay slips.

Furthermore, the judges expedited the hearing of four consolidated appeals, aiming to resolve the issues raised in these appeals promptly. The decision comes after the appelate court on January 3,2024, upheld the status quo regarding the levy`s collection until a final decision is reached on the specified date.