The Kenyan government has issued a clarion call to the business community, urging them to actively contribute to national development through prompt and complete tax payments.
This message, delivered by National Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo during a stakeholder engagement event in Eldoret, emphasized the critical role taxes play in funding essential services and driving economic growth.
"I want to encourage everyone to be patriotic and pay their correct share of taxes," Kiptoo stated, highlighting the dual benefits of compliance.
"This will in turn create a fair and competitive business environment, grow our economy, and enable us to be self-reliant."
Recognizing the importance of streamlining the tax collection process, Humphrey Wattanga, Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), reiterated the agency's commitment to a service-oriented approach.
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He emphasised that the authority is focused on easing the tax payment process while noting the ongoing implementation of user-friendly systems and procedures.
Wattanga went beyond simply facilitating payments, actively seeking feedback from businesses.
"We are keen to get honest feedback from the Business Community to enable us to improve our service offering to taxpayers," he stated, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts.
The KRA is committed to a two-pronged approach, ensuring both taxpayer satisfaction and successful revenue collection.
"We will effectively respond to taxpayers' needs by engaging with various stakeholders in implementing compliance support programs," Wattanga affirmed.
His message resonated with a call for continued collaboration.
"I want to appeal to all stakeholders to continue engaging with us, as we work collectively to better serve you," he said.
He outlined key areas of focus, including taxpayer education, staff integrity, and leveraging programs like the Tax Amnesty and eTIMS to achieve shared goals.
By embracing their role in tax compliance, Kenyan businesses have the opportunity to become active partners in the nation's development journey. Through responsible financial contributions, they can help build a more prosperous and self-reliant future for all.