Is anyone else tired of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tough utterances about corruption without any meaningful effort behind the scenes.
The president speaks tough on corruption while in public but it is like he doesn’t really care what happens after that. After all, no big fish is serving a jail term over swindling public funds. So why should the others not steal?
On Wednesday, Uhuru ordered a lifestyle audit on Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) employees living large but under-reporting income in order to avoid paying taxes.
Speaking during the official launch the integrated tax system for KRA which will aid KRA in better tax collection, Mr. Kenyatta issued a stern waning to tax evaders saying those found culpable will be prosecuted.
“High net-worth individuals whose lifestyles are not reflective of the taxes they pay, if any, must be compelled to demonstrate the source of their wealth and contribute their share of tax accordingly…,” warned President Kenyatta.
President @UKenyatta has sent a stern warning to tax evaders. The President says there will be no room for such people and that those found culpable will face the law #TaxpayersDay2018 pic.twitter.com/WHaBqn1Zmf
— State House Kenya (@StateHouseKenya) October 31, 2018
While urging the revenue body to use cutting-edge technology in every aspect of its operation, President Kenyatta said the government has taken steps to widen the tax space and find more ways to bring in more Kenyans into the tax net.
“Traders operating fake electronic tax registers and pocketing the VAT should also be brought to book. The law must reflect the seriousness of tax collection and the consequences of default,”said President Kenyatta.
“There should be no space for tax evaders in Kenya.”
The Head of State who also awarded distinguished taxpayers for the 2017/18 year, also cautioned those charged with collecting tax saying they should not use their positions to engage in extortion or promote tax evasion.
Today I presided over the annual #TaxpayersDay2018, in recognition of compliant and diligent taxpayers. There is need for us to pay a lot more attention to both tax payers and tax collectors, because our Nation’s future lies in their hands @HKRotich @KRACorporate pic.twitter.com/CaVUbgSN9O
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) October 31, 2018
He urged the taxman to forge a closer working relationship with County governments to improve revenue collection of devolved entities.
KRA collected Ksh.329 billion in the first quarter ended September 2018 compared to Ksh.317.4 billion during the same period last year.
The revenue body however missed the collection target for the quarter by Ksh.92.7 billion.