Blow to civil society groups as High Court declines to stop implementation of the Finance Act

Lobby groups who went to the High Court to seek orders barring the government from backdating the housing levy to 1^st July have suffered a setback. The High Court has declined to bar the government saying that the court can’t lift an order given by the Court of Appeal.

The following petitioners Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Katiba Institute, The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA), Transparency International Kenya, the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), Tribeless Youth and Siasa Place went to court last week Friday.

They were responding to government through the Housing PS Charles Hinga declaring that the government would backdate the housing levy collections. Kenya Revenue Authority was appointed as the collecting agency. KRA warned of serious consequences to employers who would fail to remit the said taxes.

Okiya Omtata has gone to the Supreme Court seeking to stop the government from implementing the Finance Act.