President William Ruto has announced plans to scrap the 25 per cent import duty imposed on mobile phones, a move aimed at making smartphones more affordable for Kenyans.
“We will pursue the necessary legal and customs processes so that we remove the 25 per cent import duty on mobile phones,” Ruto stated during the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations held at Kipchoge Keino Stadium on Tuesday, October 20.
The President said the government would initiate the required legal and customs procedures to facilitate the removal of the tax.
Ruto maintained that mobile phones had evolved beyond luxury products to become essential tools for learning, conducting business, accessing banking services and securing employment, especially among young people.
“As you all know, a mobile phone is no longer a luxury. It is a classroom, a marketplace, a bank and an office for many young Kenyans and a gateway to employment,” he said.
He added that reducing the cost of smartphones would allow more Kenyans to participate in the digital economy and benefit from the opportunities it offers.
The 25 per cent import duty on mobile phones took effect in Kenya on July 1, 2026, following revisions to the East African Community's (EAC) Common External Tariff.
The tax increased the cost of bringing smartphones into the country, with the import duty applied alongside other statutory charges.
In addition to the import duty, imported mobile phones attract a 10 per cent excise duty, 16 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) and a 2 per cent Railway Development Levy (RDL).
The combined charges have contributed to the overall tax burden on mobile phones, which the National Treasury has previously estimated at 55.5 per cent under the existing tax regime.
Ruto's latest announcement is expected to offer relief to Kenyans planning to buy smartphones, as removing the import duty could help reduce retail prices.
However, the President did not specify when the proposed tax removal would take effect or outline the precise legal and customs adjustments required to implement the changes.
He instead directed the National Treasury to submit the proposals to Parliament next week for consideration.
