Police dispersed a group of people identifying themselves as Nairobi CBD business owners after they staged demonstrations in the city centre over alleged high taxes.
The protesters gathered at around on Friday and intended to march to Times Tower to present a petition over what they termed excessive taxation.
However, the group changed direction and began heading towards Parliament Buildings, where the National Assembly and Senate are located, disrupting traffic along Parliament Road and other roads within the CBD.
Police deployed an anti-riot team to disperse the protesters after the demonstrations interfered with the flow of traffic.
At least 24 protesters were arrested and taken to police cells for further action.
Police said normalcy was later restored in the CBD.
The arrested protesters were subsequently warned and released to go home, according to the police report.
The group has vowed to protest every Friday until their demands are met.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has defended its decision to raise the minimum yield for containers carrying general consolidated cargo to Sh3.2 million, saying the measure is aimed at
keeping customs valuation in line with prevailing economic and trading conditions.
KRA said it recognises the importance of cargo consolidation, particularly for small-scale traders who pool shipments to access more affordable logistics and simplify customs clearance.
The authority said customs valuation of imported goods is governed by Section 122 and the Fourth Schedule of the East African Community Customs Management Act, under which duty is assessed based on the transaction value of goods.
KRA said where an import declaration is supported by proper commercial documentation, Customs assesses goods based on the declared transaction value, subject to applicable legal and risk-management requirements.
However, the authority said consolidated cargo presents unique challenges because it can contain numerous small consignments belonging to different traders.
To facilitate faster clearance, Customs uses a minimum yield test for containers carrying commonly imported general goods. The test provides a reference point for identifying containers that meet established thresholds and can be cleared with minimal Customs intervention.
KRA said the minimum yield was last reviewed in the 2022/23 financial year, but significant changes in the operating environment, including exchange rates, freight charges and national and East African Community tax laws, necessitated a fresh review.
The revised minimum yield of Sh3.2 million took effect on August 21, 2026, following consultations with industry stakeholders.
KRA said it had initially granted traders a one-month grace period after stakeholders requested additional time to prepare for implementation.
The authority, however, stressed that the Sh3.2 million figure does not represent the actual tax liability for goods contained in a particular container.
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