After the Finance Act 2023 was passed and the law’s suspension was lifted, Safaricom announced a change in the prices for its services.
In a notice dated July 29, 2023, the telco said, “Following the enactment into law of the Finance Act 2023 and the Court of Appeal ruling on 28th July 2023, effective 29th July 2023, we will be reviewing our call, SMS, data, fibre, M-Pesa pricing to reflect the increase in excise duty rate on fees charged on mobile money transfer services from 12% to 15% and the decrease in excise duty rate in telecommunication services (call, SMS, data and fibre) from 20% to 15%.”
The telco said details of changes in pricing are available on its website, app and different USSD codes, including *100#, *200# and *544#.
On Friday, the Court of Appeal withdrew the conservatory injunction that had prevented the controversial Finance Act 2023 from going into effect.
The Treasury Cabinet Secretary, Njuguna Ndungu, who represented the government in its appeal of the suspension, was found by the appellate court to have upheld the twin principles necessary to support the issuance of the requested orders.
“We are persuaded that the applicants have satisfied the twin principles for the grant of the orders sought, and that, public interest tilts in favour of setting aside the conservatory orders by the trial Judge,” reads the ruling.
The court noted that there will be serious irreversible economic consequences if the stay of the conservatory orders were not granted.
The three judges led by Mohammed Warsame, Kathurima M’inoti and Hellen Omondo said that the appeal will be heard and determined within 60 days.
The High Court, on June 30, suspended the implementation of the Finance Act 2023, pending the determination of a petition filed by Senator Okiya Omtatah and six other activists.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Prof Njuguna Ndung’u moved to the Court of Appeal arguing the suspension is affecting government operations.
