Azimio One Kenya Alliance presidential candidate Raila Odinga has criticized the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for shutting down Keroche Breweries due to tax arrears arguing that the company should be given more time to pay the debt.
Speaking today in Murang’a, Odinga called on the government to shun from harsh measures that damage important industrial companies in the name of reclaiming revenue.
“Widen the net and allow people to pay. But don’t close the business because someone has defaulted in paying taxes. If you do that, you are not only killing the investors, but the employee,” he stated.
According to Odinga, the state should regulate taxes and provide investors with favourable tax payment regulations that enable them to be compliant.
“It is not right to become punitive in terms of taxes. If taxes are too high, there is a tendency to evade them, but if they are low and manageable, people will pay. Don’t close a business because the owner has defaulted in paying taxes,” Odinga stated.
The Naivasha-based Company which was recently been shut down by the KRA over unsettled taxes, major revenue generator, and source of employment.
Simultaneously, when rallying support for the Azimio faction, Odinga stated that his administration would defend the private sector by enacting sound tax legislation that would assist investors and businesspeople in staying tax compliant.
On the other hand, his running companion Martha Karua urged leaders to put their words into action.
“All Christians and Muslims, please choose your leaders based on their actions rather than what they say at rallies,” she said.
