Jalang’o’s Paradox: Content Creators Flaunt Wealth While Rejecting Ruto’s 15% Tax
On Friday, June 9, Lang’ata Member of Parliament Phelix Oduwour, also known as Jalang’o, criticized content creators protesting the introduction of a 15% tax on digital products.
Jalang’o, who spoke during a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on the Media in Kisumu, blamed his fellow content creators.
He argued that the artists’ online displays of opulence and luxury necessitated government scrutiny of their businesses.
“You people are responsible for this mess. How can I persuade the government that you have no money and are unable to pay the tax when you claim to be millionaire? Jalang’o wondered.
The Langata lawmaker admonished the content creators to be forthright in their objections to the proposed Finance Bill 2023, pointing out that they lacked any legitimate grounds for their objections.
“I was informed that my close friend Oga Obina had gifted himself a Ksh6 million automobile. Other content creators have similarly spent up to Ksh300,000 per day.
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“Eric Omondi, for instance, earns approximately Ksh10 million per month from content creation. Jalang’o asserts that Eric has so many advertising opportunities with so many brands.
According to Jalang’o, President William Ruto’s tax initiatives would benefit the nation, including the thriving content creators.
The Lang’ata representative stated, “I am in a position where I do not know what to tell the State in regard to taxation, and it is because of what creators have demonstrated.”
The Finance Bill of 2023 identifies content creators as individuals or organizations that produce content for online platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. The bill would impose a 15% withholding tax on content creators’ earnings.
According to the government, the tax is necessary to level the playing field between content creators and other businesses.
Creators of content criticized the proposed tax, arguing that it would stifle innovation and creativity and make it more difficult for them to make a living.
On Thursday, June 1, however, President Ruto reassured content creators that he was still open to feedback and revisions regarding the proposed tax.
Jalang’o’s Paradox: Content Creators Flaunt Wealth While Rejecting Ruto’s 15% Tax
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