On November 14, 2024, we co-hosted a Twitter/X Space roundtable in partnership with Hakijamii and co-sponsored by Action Aid, TaxEd Alliance, EACHRights and the Youth Leadership Movement under the theme 'Debating Kenya’s Pockets: Sustainable Solutions to Address Austerity and Public Services Through Progressive Taxation'. The event aimed to create a platform for dialogue on the impacts of austerity measures, the state of public services and tax reforms in Kenya. The discussion focussed on raising awareness on these pressing issues, analysing the implication of national tax policies and proposing sustainable alternatives to austerity measures.

Moderated by GI-ESCR’s Roselyne Onyango, Associate Programme Officer for Africa, the event featured diverse panellists:  

Valentine Mueni, from Hakijamii, highlighted how austerity measures have strained the provision of essential public services, like healthcare and education. She stressed the need for government accountability and efficient resource allocation to build sustainable public systems that contribute to economic growth. 

Collins Liko, from ESCR-Net, shared insights from the ongoing discussions on international tax reforms and public debt, emphasising the importance of progressive tax policies that protect fundamental human rights. He also advocated for Kenya’s adoption of similar equitable practices domestically while supporting discussions on the UN Tax Convention on an international scale. 

The panel also included a National Youth Leader, Hannington Oguk, who shed light on the principle of mutual responsibility in taxation, underscoring that citizens expect tangible outcomes from their tax contributions. He emphasised on the need to enhance transparency and accountability mechanisms in digitalisation.

Community representatives Lorraine Ong’iyo and Noah Adipo highlighted grassroots perspectives on the harm caused by retrogressive tax policies and emphasised ways the government can capture public voices (especially marginalised communities and young people) in the formulation of fiscal policies such as the finance bill. Ong’iyo underscored the importance of engaging communities through accessible awareness campaigns and integrating marginalised voices into fiscal policy formulation to ensure inclusivity and fairness.

Overall, the discussion shed light on the profound social and economic impacts of austerity measures, the pressing need for equitable tax policies and the value for robust public participation in shaping fiscal policies in Kenya. Looking at the current political climate in Kenya and its impact on rights, the panellists called for sustainable investment in public services, improved mechanisms for accountability and the bridging of gaps between policymakers and communities. They emphasised that alternatives to austerity, such as progressive taxation and community-driven solutions, are key to ensuring the consistent provision of essential services.

The roundtable was part of our ongoing advocacy efforts to foster stronger national dialogue on the intersections of austerity, progressive taxation and public services. The conversation highlighted the critical need of collective action in addressing fiscal challenges while ensuring the protection of fundamental rights through progressive taxation policies.

To listen to the discussion click on the following link: https://x.com/i/spaces/1lPKqOnWqbLJb