By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 28 August 2026 - Small-scale traders brought parts of Nairobi’s Central Business District to a standstill on Friday as they marched towards the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) headquarters, protesting a sharp increase in the customs valuation benchmark for imported goods.
The traders, who gathered around the Archives area before heading to Times Tower, say the new benchmark is making it harder for small businesses to survive by increasing the amount of tax payable on imported goods.
At the centre of their anger is KRA’s decision to raise the minimum benchmark for general containerised consolidated cargo from KSh 2.5 million to KSh 3.2 million, an increase of KSh 700,000. The new threshold took effect on August 20.
The protesters argue that the change will eat into already thin profit margins and could eventually push up prices for consumers.
“We want the government to listen to us. KRA should listen to us and allow us to continue with the benchmark of 2.5. They have already increased it to 3.2, which is not possible for businesses given the state of Kenya’s economy,” one trader said.
The demonstrations disrupted normal activities in parts of the CBD, with traders carrying placards and blowing vuvuzelas as they made their way towards Times Tower to present a petition.
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Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters along Parliament Road and Kenyatta Avenue as officers moved to contain the demonstrations.
The traders are particularly concerned about the impact on businesses importing goods from markets such as China, saying the higher valuation could increase their costs and force them to raise prices.
KRA, however, has defended the adjustment, saying it is intended to address undervaluation, under-declaration, misdescription and revenue leakages in customs.
The tax authority said the review also took into account changing economic conditions and freight costs.
For the traders, the immediate demand is for KRA to reverse the increase and engage them before implementing measures they say could further raise the cost of doing business.