Baba Talisha says black tax comes with emotional blackmail as interest
By Valerian Khakayi, August 15, 2025Kenyan digital content creator and photographer Faustine Lukale, widely known as Baba Talisha, has weighed in on the Black tax issue, the financial support that working individuals are often expected to provide to extended family members
In a statement shared on his official Instagram account on August 14, 2025, Baba Talisha shared his thoughts on the concept of black tax, which most Kenyans say places an unfair financial and emotional burden on them.
The digital content creator described the Black tax as the only tax that comes with emotional blackmail as interest, explaining that, beyond the monetary demands, there is often pressure and guilt used to compel one to give.
According to Baba T, while supporting family is important, the expectations can sometimes become overwhelming, especially when they are tied to emotional manipulation.
Black tax
Black tax is what many people call the financial support a working-class individual is expected to give to their extended family once they start earning. In many African families, it is seen as a way of giving back to the people who helped raise you or sacrificed for your education.
While it comes from a place of love and community, the pressure can sometimes be overwhelming. Critics argue that the expectations can be excessive and, in some cases, accompanied by emotional pressure or guilt, making it hard for individuals to focus on their own financial goals.
Some say they face constant requests for money from relatives, sometimes at the expense of their personal goals like buying a home, investing, or even starting a family.
However, supporters of the black tax argue that it helps lift entire families out of poverty and is a form of social security in communities where formal systems are lacking.
Black tax is more than just a financial obligation. For many, it’s a balancing act between gratitude, responsibility, and the need for personal growth.