The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has deployed a contingent of military trained personnel to enforce tax compliance as it races against time to meet its Ksh2.4 billion target for the current fiscal year.

In an official announcement, the KRA has disclosed that it has dispatched more than 1,400 Revenue Service Assistants (RSAs) to ensure rigorous tax compliance.

These RSAs are tasked with facilitating the online registration of trading businesses, a strategic move aimed at incorporating enterprises that have previously evaded tax payments, as the KRA widens its net to generate essential funds.

KRA stated, “The RSAs will provide on-site assistance to taxpayers, including physical visits to taxpayer premises across the country.”

This proactive approach underscores KRA’s commitment to enhancing compliance.

President William Ruto has set a demanding target for KRA, given the imperative to bridge a funding gap of at least Ksh700 billion in the current budget.

These officers, who have undergone training at the Recruit Training School in Eldoret, will also bear the responsibility of verifying taxpayer information to ensure adherence to the Electronic Tax Invoice Management System.

To facilitate public recognition, KRA’s officials will carry identification cards while carrying out their duties.

The Ruto administration has implemented a series of tax measures to ensure that KRA collects sufficient revenue to support the budget.

An uptick in taxes was one of the reasons that prompted opposition demonstrations against the Finance Act of 2023, which was perceived as imposing hardships on ordinary Kenyans.

One of the sectors where the impact of increased taxes has been most acutely felt is the fuel industry, where the tax rate was doubled from eight percent to 16 percent, resulting in record-high fuel prices.

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Above photo is courtesy of KRA CG (Twitter)