KRA issues statement on revenue collection

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on Monday issued a statement on revenue mobilisation and operations.

According to the statement signed by Acting Commissioner General Rispah Simiyu, KRA has has invested in the use of modern technology, leaving no room for diversion of taxes collected from hard working Kenyans.

“KRA has invested in modern technology which works as the revenue collection and settlement system from source to the exchanger. With this in place, there is no room for revenue diversion as strict surveillance plugs revenue loopholes,” the statement stated in part.

On Friday last week, Minority leader in the National Assembly James Opiyo Wandayi urged Parliament to investigate some government institutions among them KRA, for what he said was possible diversion of money collected as taxes.

The Ugunja legislature raised the concern about delay of salaries of MPs and a big chunk of civil servants, a matter that has since been attributed to by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua said the government was torn between paying salaries and servicing the country's loans which have since matured.

He said the country lacks enough resources to meet the two obligations at the same time, because of the nation having been taken down the economic drain by the 'handshake government.'

KRA in the statement denied reports that revenue collection fortunes are dwindling day by day.

"As at the close of March 2023, revenue collection averaged 95.1 per cent on original target and 93.4 per cent on supplementary target, representing a collection of Sh1.554 billion and a year on year 8 per cent growth."

“KRA continues being a professionally managed public organisation comprising of competent staff, management and board leadership delivering their mandate within the staff code of conduct,” adds the Authority.

The organisation says it is committed to bridging the deficit on target through the implementation of Revenue Enhancement Initiative(REI).

"REI include the roll-out of eTIMS for efficient and effective VAT collection, integration of KRA systems with betting companies leading to the improved collection in Excise Tax on betting and withholding tax on winnings. Amicable settlement of tax disputes through Alternative Disputes Resolution(ADR) and Tax Base Expansion aimed at bringing more taxpayers into the tax bracket."

It is still not clear when public servants will be paid their March salaries.