President William Ruto has asked the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to change approach in tax collection.
The President asked KRA to maximise tax collection while reducing the compliance burden on taxpayers by becoming a customer-centric entity.
“A huge obstacle to the realisation of our national revenue targets is that in practice, tax administration has traditionally been a harsh, repressive menacing affair,” he said.
The President was speaking on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi during the 2022 Taxpayers’ Day.
He said the country’s tax administration must be made fairer and better; aligned with the revenue policy of a country that is in pursuit of self-reliance.
“We are determined to ensure that our tax system is responsive to the needs of the new era in Kenyan tax administration,” he added.
He challenged KRA to collect Sh3 trillion by the end of the next financial year and to double the current amount in five years’ time.
The President asked KRA to fully focus on performance.
“It is now time for a radical shift in our KRA model; the tax burden must reflect ability to pay. I will lead by example.”
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked KRA to seal revenue leakages and leverage trade facilitation technology to efficiently manage border points.
