KRA staff the biggest threat to tax revenue

I don’t remember how many times I have written about this, but none other than the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) chairman said it at KICC in front of the President that KRA staff must undergo lifestyle audit if this economy hopes to protect its tax revenue.

The logic is simple. These people have not changed since Kanu days when wanton theft of public resources was rampant.

How do the staff steal government tax revenue? They catch up with a non-compliant taxpayers, do an audit as per the law and demand taxes due. From this point the taxpayer is in catch 22. Either pay all amount (most cannot afford unless they sell property) or bribe.

Almost all decide to bribe. The KRA staff then write off half the taxes, ask for 75 per cent of reminder, then arrange for taxpayer to pay 25 per cent. The taxpayer gains by evading 50 per cent of taxes. Real estate developers will tell you that KRA staff have many rental buildings.

How will you audit the staff? The public must be involved. The whistle blowing programme must run.
GEORGE CHEGE, Nairobi