Uhuru urges tax compliance at fete to honor exceptional taxpayers

NAIROBI, Kenya, October 27 – President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Kenyans to comply with paying their taxes on time in order to generate revenue for the developmental growth of the country.

Speaking while officiating the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)  taxpayer’s day which seeks to recognize and celebrate tax-compliant businesses and individuals, he urged citizens to be compliant in order to spearhead development plans in the country.

“As a country, the number of registered voters today stands at 19.6 million however, the number of active individual taxpayers stands at only 6 million. This is unfortunate because the majority of Kenyans are demanding better infrastructure, better public service, and access to goods but some of us are not willing to fund the same through registering and paying taxes,” Kenyatta said.

He commended every loyal Kenya taxpayer who managed to do their duty despite the challenges that exist in the country.

During the ceremony, the president awarded various individuals and cooperates who demonstrated utmost compliance during the 2021/22 financial year.

Safaricom was awarded as the leading taxpayer in the country while Premier Credit Ltd was recognized as the top medium taxpayer.

Additionally, Standard Chartered was recognized as the taxpayer who paid the highest corporation tax compared to their turnover and Evergreen Logistics Corporation was awarded as the taxpayer who supported the Government initiative of Deconsolidation and clearance of goods at the National Deconsolidation Centre.

National Treasury and Planning Cabinet Secretary, Ukur Yatani who was also present at the ceremony, lauded all awarded taxpayers and urged other Kenyans to emulate their behavior in being compliant taxpayers.

“I want to thank all the distinguished taxpayers awarded today because, without them and other Kenyans, Kenya would not have the level of socio-economic development it is currently undergoing. We have noted positive signs of economic recovery beginning with improved revenue performance these past years.,” Yatani said.

KRA surpassed its revenue target for FY 2021/21 with a Shs 1.669 Trillion collection, it also reported that it had surpassed its 2021/22 Q1 revenue target by Sh 14 bn.

“We at KRA have engaged with our taxpayers this entire month and appreciated them for their hard work and determination in paying taxes to support the government. We want to urge all other Kenyans that we will be collecting tax not by force but by facilitation. Hence, we want to switch from being called an authority but a service,’” said KRA Board Chairman Francis Muthaura.