Rapper Stevo Simple Boy is opposing the government’s move to have digital creators taxed 15% of their income.
In a series of posts on Insta stories, the Kibra-born rapper expressed his frustrations saying that art in the country has being ignored yet the government want to consume the little they make through hard work.
He further said the government should support and improve art if it is a must for content creators to be taxed.
According to him, such oppressions make artists want to relocate from the country.
“Kwani tunachopata nayo tayari tunataka kukatwa ushuru hapa kidogo. Wasanii wa sanaa tunapinga. Sanaa nchini imepuuziliwa lakini tunachopata kwa kutia nguvu nyingi na hela kuinua sanaa zetu bado mnataka kutukata. Jamani mbona nahisi ni kama tupo enzi za ukoloni. Kama lazima kukatwa basi mtutengenezee mazingira mazuri ya kutengeneza bunda. Aaah jamani mbona nchi inaingia uvundo mpaka tunahisi kuhepa nchi za nje. Asilimia 15 mnaikata wapi na hakuna mazingira mazuri kukuza bioashara za talanta. Mbona ubabe,” Stevo lamented.
Stevo went ahead to share an instance of a artist earning Kshs5,000 from MCSK. Once the artist is taxed 15% he remains with 4250, which is not enough to cater for his/her next project. He urged the government to support talent first before focusing on taxes
“Kufanya audio nzuri Kenya sio chini ya 10,000. Kumlipa producer mzuri kisha kufanya video unahitaji kshs100,000. Jamani biashara gani hii, tunachokipata hakiambatani na tunazotumia halafu bado unataka kutukata ushuru bila kutuitengenezia mazingira ya kukuza sanaa,” he said adding that, “Wasanii tunapitia mengi sana ila mumeanza kutuumiza kabisa jamani nchi tunaelekea wapi wadau?”
Nviiri The Story Teller has also opposed the move saying that the government should first protect rights of creators instead of taxing innovative ways of making money.
He added that the government should involve the young creatives while making decisions.
Currently, digital creators are taxed 5% of their income. The proposal to have them taxed more is aimed at expanding the tax base and generate more revenue.