The Kenya
Revenue Authority (KRA) is set to raise revenue to GDP ratio from current 18.3
per cent in 2017/18 to 19.2 per cent in 2020/21.
Through
its 7th Corporate Plan running from 2018-2021, KRA also expects to
collect Kshs6.1 trillion of core revenues – Exchequer revenues, Road
Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) and Railway Development Levy (RDL) – requiring an
annual revenue growth of 12.9 per cent.
Key among
the Plan’s strategies and programs is tax base expansion aimed at raising the
number of active taxpayers from 3.94 million to 7 million by implementing a
segmented approach to deal with the identified sectors.
During
the launch of the 7th Corporate Plan presided over by the Cabinet
Secretary for National Treasury Mr. Henry Rotich, the KRA management expressed
optimism that the blue print will steer the Authority to a success in tax
administration and consequently the Big
Four Agenda.
“I
believe a lot of effort has been put in the development of the 7th Corporate
Plan and is expected to be a pivot in the success of the Big 4 Agenda,” said
Mr. Rotich.
Mr.
Rotich said the Corporate Plan focuses on the country’s development agenda as
spelt out in the Kenya Vision 2030, the Third Medium Term Plan (MTP 2018-2022),
the Budget Policy Statement 2018 and the Big Four Agenda.
“We
undertake to work with KRA and all stakeholders to continuously develop
appropriate policies and review of the regulatory regimes to meet the needs of
all Kenyans,” the CS noted in his speech.
KRA Board
Chair Amb. Francis Muthaura noted that one of the fundamental drivers that will
guide this plan is transformation agenda. The key focus of this transformation
agenda is to become more customer-focused with a view to enhance compliance
among the taxpayers.
“I am
optimistic that we have the right ingredients necessary in making the dreams
outlined in this ambitious plan a success,” Dr. Muthaura added.
On his part, the Commissioner General Mr.
John Njiraini said that the 7th Corporate Plan is designed to give priority to
key national flagship drivers which project a transformed and a self-reliant
nation in the years to come.
“These drivers include the Vision 2030, the
Big Four Agenda, Third Medium Term Plan (MTP 2018-2022) and the 2018 Budget
Policy Statement,” Mr. Njiraini noted.
According to the Commissioner General, KRA’s
approach and engagement with the customers has significantly been shifting from
enforcement to a more facilitative approach, an approach that has for a long
time been associated with the private sector.
He said revenue mobilization is through
transformation, data-driven decision-making and tax base expansion.
Steven Umidha is a data and financial journalist with over 14 years of work experience in journalism and communication.
He specialises in finance and economics reporting as well as on the causes, impacts, and solutions of global warming, conservation, pollution and sustainability, often blending scientific literacy with journalist ethics, while involving policy analysis and multimedia storytelling across various platforms in highlighting issues from biodiversity loss to ecological justice.
Besides being the Founder of Financial Fortune Media, Umidha has previously worked with the Standard Media Group, Mediamax Networks LTD, bird story agency, Business Journal Africa, and Financial Post among other outlets.