President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday directed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to conduct an audit on high-net-worth individuals who live large but pay little in taxes.
Presiding over the annual taxpayers' day at KICC, the Head of State noted that every Kenyan share and honour their tax obligations.
"High net-worth individuals whose lifestyles are not reflective of the taxes they pay, if any, must be compelled to demonstrate the source of their wealth and contribute their share of tax accordingly," he stated.
Here is the video courtesy of Citizen TV:
"High net-worth individuals whose lifestyles are not reflective of the taxes they pay, if any, must be compelled to demonstrate the source of their wealth and contribute their share of tax accordingly..." ~President Uhuru Kenyatta pic.twitter.com/A97dzEQQou
He further directed the revenue collection body to use cutting-edge technology in every aspect of its operation.
"KRA should forge a closer working relationship with County governments to improve revenue collection of the devolved entities," he added.
Addressing tax evaders, Uhuru called for all those smuggling goods and operating business illegally to be brought to book.
"Traders operating fake electronic tax registers and pocketing the VAT should also be brought to book.
"The law must reflect the seriousness of tax collection and the consequences of default. There should be no space for tax evaders in Kenya," Uhuru conveyed.
He stated that even though the government had taken steps to widen the tax space and find more ways to bring in more Kenyans into the tax net, the reforms were still far from enough to sustain the country's aspiration.
The president further urged those charged with collecting tax not to use their positions to engage in extortion or promote tax evasion.
He put across that criminal cartels smuggling imported taxable goods through our ports ought to be easily detected and contained.
