President William Ruto has reprimanded the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) following public outrage of claims of incessant harassment of travelers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Instead, the president told the tax collector agency rebuilt to a service-oriented organisation.
He spoke yesterday during the Kenya Revenue Authority Taxpayers’ Day in Mombasa.
Earlier in the week, KRA made a new unsavory directive that seeks to tax personal or household items, whether new or used worth USD500 (Sh75,000) and above will be subjected to taxation.
“Remember when traveling you will be allowed to carry personal or household items worth USD500 and below. Anything above the amount, shall be subjected to tax.” An announcement by KRA read in part.
Ruto said technology such as the national digital identity will be adopted to enhance revenue mobilisation. President Ruto said he is keen on restoring KRA’s image to inspire voluntary tax compliance.
The president observed that KRA will no longer be a suppressive entity driving taxpayers into terror in the name of revenue collection.
The pronouncement aligns with the government’s commitment to decriminalizing entrepreneurship and fostering a pro-business environment, ultimately broadening the tax base.
He added that public resources will be utilised prudently to drive the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
To enhance transparency and accountability, the government will present to Kenyans an elaborate formal account of how the resources have been used.
“There is no space for wastage and corruption. Our tolerance for corruption is zero.” Ruto affirmed.
The President appealed to unregistered Kenyans to sign up for KRA and make their contribution to the country’s development agenda.
Among those present during the event were; Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries Njuguna Ndung’u, Kipchumba Murkomen, Davis Chirchir, Aden Duale, Simon Chelugui, Salim Mvurya, KRA chairman Anthony Mwaura and KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga.
