- Additionally, the firm said they will also consider the decrease in Excise duty rate on Telecommunication services from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.
- The Court of Appeal allowed for the implementation of the Finance Act 2023 on Friday.
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Telecommunications service provider Safaricom has announced that prices for sms, calls, and data will be reviewed to align with the Finance Act 2023.
Safaricom made the announcement on Saturday after the Court of Appeal lifted the orders barring implementation of the Finance Act.
"We will be reviewing our call, sms, data, fibre and M-pesa pricing to reflect the increase in excise duty rates on fees charged on mobile money transfers services from 12 per cent to 15 per cent," the telecommunications firm said.
Additionally, the firm said they will also consider the decrease in the excise duty rate on Telecommunication services from 20 per cent to 15 per cent.
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 favour 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.
Ndungu pleaded with the court saying there will be a budgetary crisis if the order is not lifted.
Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, Eliud Matindi, Michael Otieno and four others moved to court challenging the implementation of the Finance Act, 2023.
The petitioners wanted the Finance Act declared unconstitutional, arguing that there is no concurrence of both Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate on matters relating to counties.
Further, they argued that the tabling of the Finance Bill, now an Act after President William Ruto assented to it, was done without following due procedure.