Kenyans have a civic obligation to pay their taxes to enable the government to render quality services to the people.
National Treasury and Economic Planning Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo has observed that if everyone paid taxes dutifully, the tax base would increase, leading to more income for easier implementation of government services and development projects.
“There is no way the government will run and manage the affairs of its people without collecting taxes,” said the PS, adding that tax payment was an obligation for every patriotic Kenyan.
Dr. Kiptoo made the remarks during a one-day stakeholder engagement forum that brought together Kenya Revenue Authority officials and the business community from the North Rift region at an Eldoret hotel.
Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga and Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Rispah Simiyu were in attendance.
The PS urged Kenyans to be patriotic and pay their correct share of taxes, as this would create a fair and competitive business environment, grow the economy, and enable the country to be self-reliant.
“I do not understand why the majority of Kenyans are reluctant to pay their taxes, yet they are more than willing to raise money for the construction of churches and schools without any coercion,” he said.
He called on the business community to proactively pay their correct share of taxes and champion compliance initiatives if they expect the government to provide critical services and development programmes.
In his remarks, Wattanga said KRA has been implementing a more facilitative service-focused approach to tax collection to make tax payments easy for every Kenyan.
He assured Kenyans of KRA’s commitment to collaborate with stakeholders in implementing compliance support programmes that respond to taxpayers’ unique needs.
“I want to appeal to all stakeholders to continue engaging with us as we work collectively to serve you better. We will enhance our focus on taxpayers’s education and staff integrity,” he added.
The Commissioner General further assured of KRA’s collaboration to ensure the Tax Amnesty and e-IMS programmes successfully respond to its revenue goals.
By Kiptanui Cherono
