CFSK pleads with Govt to Waive taxes on refurbished computers

By Dan Muhuni
(Kenya Times ICT Reporter/ Specialist)

Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK) in conjunction Computer Aid International have appealed to the government to wave the 25 per cent tax that is imposed in the refublished computers at the port. Speaking during Media visit to the East Africa’s first e-waste management plant in Embakasi yesterday, CFSK Executive Director Tom Musili expressed fears that Kenya is likely to be on the loose as donor countries are forced to dig deep into their pockets to pay the 25 per cent duty. "It‘s very embarrassing for a Non Governmental Organisation that is willing to donate computers to our country for free only to be told to pay taxes at the port for the computers, We are appealing to the government to exempt NGOs from paying taxes on donated computers so that we can be able to continue proving computers to schools." added Musili.Said he : "We currently have 4 containers containing over 2000 computers that have been donated by various NGOs but they are yet to release them until the government of Kenya comes clear on the taxes issue". Kenya is the only country in Africa that has imposed tax on computers that are donated by various NGOs in Africa. Computer Aid International Africa Programme Manager, Gladys Muhonyo conquered with the CFSK saying the Computer Aid International, a world's largest non profit provider of refurbished personal computers to schools and community organisations in the developing world has already donated one container. "We are very much willing to donate computers to Kenya, but its very unbecoming to expect us also to pay taxes on someting we are giving for free to benefit Kenyan schools, we are appealing to the government to reconsider its decision on the taxes issue so that Kenya can benefit from this programme. Its very unfortunate since it’s only Kenya that has imposed taxes on the donor consignment in Africa" added Muhonyo. Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK) opened the East Africa’s first e-waste management plant in Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya last year, to handle the region’s electronic recycling needs with the help of Safaricom Foundation, City Council of Nairobi, Kenya Airways and some other well wishers.The workers in the plant have been properly equipped and educated on how to handle and separate metals such as aluminium and copper, which can be recycled locally, while motherboards will be shipped to Asia and Europe for disposal, said Musili. “The management plant has a very safe working environment,” said Musili. “We now have the capacity to handle over 2000 computers in a month and its my hope that eventually we will handle the e-waste from East Africa region.” “For the monitors that are considered toxic, CFSK is shipping them to Norway for recycling. The Norwegian government supports recycling of 50,000 tons of monitors from CFSK every year. The monitors are sent to Fair International, which has the expensive equipment required to dispose of the monitors.” CFSK has also been promoting local innovation by recycling CRT (cathode ray tube) computer monitors and converting them to affordable TV sets from as low as Sh4500.