Nairobi, Feb. 2 -- The plan to introduce a new tax for motorists and companies to curb carbon emissions is plausible but ill-timed.

Under the plan, the State is seeking the introduction of a congestion charge - a fee charged on cars driven in zones marked as heavy traffic areas such as the central business district.

Companies, especially manufacturing plants, face a fresh carbon tax to encourage them to cut emissions.

While it's commendable that Kenya will be following in the footsteps of major cities that have introduced or are on course to unveiling the traffic congestion charge, there is a lot that needs to be done to make the programme sustainable.

The State should not burden already an overtaxed population with new levies without...