Kenya's largest mobile network operator, Safaricom had warned the government against raising more taxes on mobile money services saying that they would adversely affect the poorer people of the country.
Safaricom's CEO, Bob Collymore said that tax rises could put its M-Pesa mobile money service beyond the reach of the poor, leading to a decline in financial inclusion, especially in rural areas.
The company has already absorbed a 10% tax that was imposed last year, at a cost of US$4.6 million to date.
Collymore added that around 28% of total telecoms revenues already go to the taxman.
The warning came as local county governments have started adding their own charges on telecoms networks, especially on infrastructure permits, and are said to be looking at adding taxes on local mobile money transactions.
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