Nairobi traders staged a protest in the city's Central Business District on Friday, August 28, 2026, over a new customs valuation rule introduced by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). The rule raised the minimum benchmark for a 40-foot container of general cargo from Sh2.5 million to Sh3.2 million. Demonstrators marched from the Archives toward Times Tower, carrying petitions demanding a reversal of the policy.
The protest turned violent as police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to clashes in the CBD. Reports indicate that traders accused the KRA of increasing the tax burden on small businesses, despite the authority's claim that no new business tax was introduced. The KRA has denied raising taxes, stating the change was part of a customs valuation adjustment.
Local traders argue the new benchmark makes it harder for small businesses to import goods, increasing operational costs. The protests highlight growing tensions between regulatory changes and the business community in Nairobi. The situation remains under review as authorities investigate the legality of the policy.
The KRA has not yet announced further action on the dispute, but the incident has sparked wider discussions about the impact of tax policies on local economies.
