President Kenyatta puts tax evaders on notice

President Kenyatta puts tax evaders on notice

President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a stern warning to tax evaders in the country saying that those found culpable must face the full consequences of the law.

The President spoke when he officially launched the Kenya Revenue Authority Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) and the Integrated Scanner Command Centre (ISCC) which are expected to improve efficiency and enhance service delivery.

“The law must reflect the seriousness of tax collection and the consequences of default, there should be no room for tax evaders to thrive in Kenya, criminal cartels like those smuggling imported taxable goods through our ports of entry ought to be easily detected and contained in the shortest time possible,” noted the President.

While decrying anomalies in the tax collection regime, the President was categorical that high net worth individuals whose lifestyles are not reflective of the taxes they pay must be compelled to demonstrate their source of wealth and to contribute their share of the taxes accordingly.

He ordered for swiftness in the ongoing lifestyle audit for top KRA officials noting that while majority of the staff had dedicated themselves to deliver quality service, there were some who have abused their positions for self-gain.

“We continue to place heavy duty on tax payers to comply with the law, however there is an equal expectation that those charged with the duty of tax collection do not use their positions of influence to engage in extortion or acts of complicity with tax evaders,” said the President.

The Head of State also directed the taxman to incorporate technology in all its operations and reduce the need for manual human interventions further adding that KRA should use big data to predict revenue trends and to detect leakages.

“From customer care operations, detection of evasion of payment of taxes, maximum advantage should be taken of Kenya’s increasing ICT literacy levels,” he said.

The Commander-in-Chief also directed the National Treasury to review tax policies and propose legislation to rationalize areas of duplication, simplify compliance that encourage self-declarations and make it easier for all Kenyans to willingly pay their taxes in the most convenient way.

“The tax regime should support the aspirations of the Big Four and should be aligned to mobilize investment, both domestic and foreign, to leverage on the opportunities created therein,” emphasized the Head of State.

The President stressed the importance of paying more attention to tax payers and tax collectors, stating that the nation’s development and aspirations lie in their hands and that “there cannot be a state without people, nor development without taxes.”

The Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) was first introduced in Kenya in 2017, and is used to track transit cargo in real time across Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. It has been in operation for the last seven months, and has so far aided in the tracking of over 20,700 cargo containers.

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KRA President Uhuru Kenyatta tax evasion

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