Photographers in Garissa

Re-look tax on fuel products to reduce pain for Kenyans

Reporting style, Opinionated: Editorial argues for reducing fuel taxes and presents a clear policy position.

Political context, Centre: Policy-focused editorial advocating temporary tax relief without a broader partisan position.

The editorial argues that rising fuel prices will increase the cost of transport, food, manufactured goods and other essentials, worsening the cost-of-living pressure on Kenyan households. It acknowledges the government’s use of the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to subsidize prices and its reduction of VAT on fuel to 8%, but says these measures have not prevented a sharp increase in pump prices. It urges the government to review petroleum taxes and recommends immediately suspending or scrapping the Sh5.40-per-litre levy on petrol and diesel, with the possibility of restoring it once conditions in the Middle East normalize.

Why Skills Development Is Critical for Productivity and Competitiveness

Reporting style, Informative: Mostly reasoned analysis, but presents the author's viewpoint that skills development should be more central to economic policy and measured over workers' careers.

Skills development should be judged not only by whether graduates find their first jobs, but also by whether workers become more productive, earn more, progress professionally and adapt to changing technologies throughout their careers. With 87.2% of Kenya's roughly 822,100 new jobs in 2025 created in the informal sector, training needs to improve the value and quality of work across small businesses, farms, workshops and other settings. Skills can reduce waste, improve quality and expand business opportunities, though their impact also depends on access to tools, infrastructure, finance, markets and suitable working conditions. The author argues for lifelong learning and broader measures of success that track long-term economic outcomes.