The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has announced its intention to commence contempt of court proceedings against the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for purportedly making unauthorized deductions for housing levy.
“It has come to our attention that the KRA and other government agencies have continued to deduct the levies despite the court declaring them unconstitutional. There is no legal basis to deduct the housing levy, this act amounts to contempt of court.” Faith Odhiambo, LSK president-elect said on Monday.
Additionally, the LSK has urged individuals who may have been affected to come forward and provide relevant information to the organization.
“We call upon all employees who have suffered this illegal deduction to get in touch with the LSK through the email address lsk@lsk.or.ke and share their payslips,” said Odhiambo.
She emphasized that this action aims to streamline the process of filing an application to request a refund for the unlawfully deducted fees.
“The payslips will be redacted to conceal identity details that can be used to identify and possibly punish any employees that share the details with us,” she added.
The statement by the society comes in the wake of an advisory by Attorney General Justin Muturi asking KRA to stop collecting housing levy from salaried Kenyans saying it lacks legal basis. In a letter to KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga, the AG said the Court of Appeal’s January 26 decision declining to stay High Court orders that declared the levy unconstitutional still stands.
