In an effort to improve tax compliance and revenue collection, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has committed to partnering with the Eastleigh Business District Association on tailored outreach and education initiatives.
The pledge was made during a Monday leadership roundtable between top KRA officials, including Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga, and the association’s leadership.
“KRA is devoted to promoting trade facilitation and simplifying the tax payment process for greater national prosperity and compliance,” Wattanga said at the meeting. “Through collaborating, KRA will be able to customize our engagement and outreach framework to meet the specific needs of the Eastleigh business community and drive better compliance.”
Ahmed Abdullahi, chairman of the association which represents over 5,000 business owners in the Eastleigh neighborhood of Nairobi, welcomed KRA’s overture. He noted that consistent engagement between the agency and business owners has dramatically improved perceptions of the tax authority.
“Our business people are eager to partner with KRA and pay their fair share of taxes to contribute to national revenue goals, even surpassing the 3 trillion shilling target,” Abdullahi said. “Evading taxes is a crime and those who do so should face justice, but those willing to comply must be supported.”
Abdullahi reiterated the commitment of Eastleigh business owners to supporting Kenya’s industrialization efforts. “It is time to invest in domestic production through industries. That will yield more tax revenue for the government than trade alone,” he said.
KRA applauded the association’s donation of office space to house a new Tax Service Office in Eastleigh, which has bolstered customer service and engagement. Officials also praised the support of association members for compliance efforts carried out by KRA Revenue Service Assistants.
Wattanga vowed the tax authority would continue collaborating with the business community to strengthen voluntary compliance and ethical business practices. KRA remains devoted to assisting all taxpayers in meeting their obligations, he added.
