Safaricom, a telecommunications service provider, has announced that prices for SMS, calls, and data will be reviewed in order to comply with the Finance Act 2023.
Safaricom made the announcement on Saturday, following the Court of Appeal’s lifting of the injunctions preventing the Finance Act’s implementation.
“We will be reviewing our call, SMS, data, fiber, and M-pesa pricing to reflect the increase in excise duty rates on fees charged on mobile money transfers services from 12 percent to 15 percent,” the telecommunications company said.
Further, the company stated that it will consider lowering the excise duty rate on telecommunication services from 20%to 15%.
Safaricom said the details on pricing on each of their products can be found available at each of their different touch points such as the Safaricom app, by dialing *100#, *544# or visiting M-pesa agents who are spread across the country.
The Court of Appeal allowed for the implementation of the Finance Act 2023 on Friday.
Justice Mohamed Warsame, Kathurima M’Inoti, and Hello Omondi ruled that they were persuaded that the applicants have satisfied the principles for the grant of the orders sought, and that, public interest tilts in favor of setting aside the conservatory orders by the trial Judge.
“The upshot of our decision is that the application has merit and the same is allowed as prayed with the effect that the order made on July 10, 2023, suspending the Finance Act 2023, and the order prohibiting the implementation of the Finance Act 2023, be and is hereby lifted pending the hearing and determination of the appeal,” the judges ruled.
Treasury CS Njuguna Ndungu had said the suspension of the Act is affecting government operations.
