MY GOV: Kenyan households stare at costly diapers, phones, gas cylinders
The East African Community has approved Kenya's request to maintain higher import duties on various consumer goods, including mobile phones, diapers, and gas cylinders. The government aims to protect local manufacturing and increase tax revenue, though this is expected to raise costs for households.
Why it matters
This policy highlights the tension between protecting domestic industries and managing the rising cost of living for consumers in developing economies.
The higher prices follow a decision by the East African Community (EAC) to allow Kenya to retain higher import duty rates on selected consumer and industrial goods for another year.
The customs measures took effect on July 1, after the EAC Secretariat approved Kenya's request to continue charging import duties above the Common External Tariff (CET) on selected products.
The decision affects a wide range of imports, including baby diapers, mobile phones, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and stoves, lubricants, wood products, optical fibre cables, iron and steel products, furniture and motor vehicles.
The EAC said the higher tariffs are intended to protect local manufacturers while boosting government revenue.
"The EAC Council approved Kenya's request to continue charging higher import duties on selected goods, including mobile phones, optical fibre cables, iron and steel products, gas cylinders, LPG stoves and other manufactured items," the notice states.
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