Jalang’o Blames Content Creators for the 15% Withholding Tax on Digital Products

Phelix Oduwour, popularly known as Jalang’o, on Friday, June 9, castigated content creators who opposed the 15% tax on digital products. 

At a Parliamentary Committee Meeting on Media in Kisumu, the MP attributed the government’s close monitoring to the flaunting of wealth and luxury that the creators exhibit on the web. He blamed the creators for forcing the government into performing scrutiny of their source of income. 

“You people got yourselves into this mess. How do I convince the government that you don’t have money and are unable to pay the tax when you boast of being millionaires?” Jalang’o wondered. 

The Lang’ata representative urged content creators to be truthful in their protest against the proposed Finance Bill 2023. He disputed protests against the bill saying that the objections have no ground. Jalang’o argued that President William Ruto’s tax proposals would be beneficial to the nation, including content creators who have been successful in their ventures. The Bill categorizes content creators as either people or companies that create material for online platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. The bill attempts to impose a 15% withholding tax on the earnings of content creators.

The government declared that the tax was vital to even out the differences between content producers and other businesses. Content producers have voiced their disapproval of the proposed tax, saying it would suppress creativity and innovation and deny them the opportunity to earn money. However, on Thursday, June 1, President Ruto told content creators that he still welcomes opinions and modifications to the proposed tax.