North Imenti MP Rahim Dawood has
urged the Kenya Revenue Authority ( KRA) to review and reduce the taxes Kenyans are currently paying owing to the hard economic times the country and globe is facing.
The MP regretted that the high cost of living occasioned by the many government levies has made it difficult for many citizens to afford taxes.
Speaking in a hotel in Meru town during the KRA citizens engagement, Rahim called on the government to put in place friendly tax measures that will ease burden on ordinary people thus making taxes affordable.
“I urge the KRA to consider reducing taxes in a bid to make them affordable to the common man. Kenyans are not refusing to pay. Things are tough owing to the hard economic times the country and globe is facing.
Many government levies are coming on board and they have eaten up the monies. Let the government come up with friendly ways of making people pay taxes. The government expenses are going up,” said MP Rahim.
He lauded KRA for increasing the total tax collection noting they will continue to support them.
Rahim challenged KRA to reciprocate the support by reducing the taxes or allowing Kenyans to pay slowly.
“Some people can literally not pay taxes because they don’t have the money. Please
extend a hand for people to pay slowly.
We do not want to kill businesses. Or who will pay taxes if you kill businesses? I will speak in Parliament about the issue,” said the MP.
Rahim said if taxes are reduced more people will be brought on board thus enabling KRA to collect more taxes.
The lawmaker advised KRA to change it name to Kenya Revenue Services because the former is unattractive because it sounds like being arrested or imprisoned.
Over 7 million Kenyans are active tax payers
The KRA Chairman Nderitu Murithi said 7 million Kenyans out of the 22 million with Personal Identification Number are active and paying taxes.
He said they are making the KRA system more friendly and easier by creating multichannels in order to enable citizens to pay in good time.
He encouraged Kenyans to step up for the country by paying taxes on time.
The chairman assured traders using the pay bill that KRA will not check their personal data or mpesa transactions.
“There is no cause for alarm. Kenyans should not be nervous because we shall never look at your data or personal mpesa transactions.
We are only looking for business transactions because they are the ones generating income. Business income is what is subject to taxation,” said Murithi.
KRA acting Commissioner Dr. Lilian Nyawada said they are committed to ensure citizens have a smooth and seamless experience when paying taxes.
She urged Kenyans to continue giving them feedback to enable KRA respond by resolving any outstanding issues.
