Nakuru Traders withdraw till numbers citing KRA targeting

Nakuru,

Monday, October 16, 2024

KNA by Anne Sabuni 

Traders in Nakuru City and its environs have withdrawn the use of the popular Buy Goods till numbers and Pochi la Biashara Mpesa platforms citing them as easy targets for the Taxman.

A spot check by KNA revealed a rather sluggish disclosure of the mobile money payment options that were widespread in use and easy for customers, with many businesses preferring settlement of bills in cash.

Other traders, agreed to mobile transactions but read the till numbers and Pochi la Biashara details off head to customers, citing non remittance of their tax.

“Due to the increased cost of transacting via mobile and banks, we will not be using paybill or Buy goods services as from October 1, 2023. Kindly withdraw from an agent or pay cash," read in part a notice displayed at an Mpesa agent, regretting the inconvenience caused.

Kenya Revenue Authority enforcement officers have been visiting business premises in Nakuru City, to collate data of various entities, with details of tax remittance being demanded of those transacting using mobile money.

KRA, in a recent meeting in Nakuru disclosed its Sh10 billion target following its amnesty that would allow traders and businesses settle tax owed as at December 31, 2022.

County KRA Station Manager Charles Cheruiyot told the media that the taxman was promoting alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms as opposed to lengthy litigation processes.

“How else can we respond when asked of the remittances from these transactions? Yet we have nothing left to give to the government? The businesses are struggling, customers are nowhere to be seen, yet the government wants its share of the pound,” lamented Joan Nyakoe, who did not want details of her business disclosed.

The busy Kiratina and Free Area markets that had the till numbers well displayed to offer customers easy modes of payment had almost none on display, with a number of traders scrutinizing customers before allowing the use of the till numbers.

Courtesy; KNA