Finance Secretary John Mbadi has come under fire following remarks suggesting that low-income earners are “very happy” with the government’s new tax relief measures.
Speaking at the launch of Safaricom’s Ziidi Trader app, Mbadi praised the upcoming tax changes that will exempt income up to KSh 30,000 from Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, up from the current KSh 24,000 threshold. The reforms also include a reduction of the tax rate for the next income bracket to 25%.
Mbadi said the adjustments would benefit entry-level public servants such as police officers and teachers, many of whom earn around KSh 30,000 per month. He claimed the changes would translate to an additional KSh 1,000 to KSh 1,500 in take-home pay, describing the workers as “very happy” and “excited” about the relief.
However, his comments quickly drew criticism online, with many Kenyans accusing him of being out of touch with the realities of rising living costs.
Social media users described the statement as condescending, noting that the cost of basic monthly necessities now exceeds KSh 64,000, excluding rent.
Critics argued that the modest tax relief offers little comfort amid soaring food, transport, and utility prices. Some likened the gesture to “a free toothpick for a hungry man,” calling instead for policies that ensure living wages and address the broader cost-of-living crisis.
The backlash has exposed public frustration over the country’s economic inequality and the perception that government officials are disconnected from the struggles of ordinary Kenyans.
While the Treasury maintains that the tax reforms are part of a broader effort to ease the burden on low-income earners, the debate has reignited calls for more comprehensive wage and cost-of-living interventions.
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