President William Ruto said on Sunday, February 5, that he will soon issue a notice barring government agencies from taking the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to court due to taxation arrears.
Ruto stated during a Sunday service at Deliverance Church International in Ruai, Nairobi, that the directive would compel government agencies to use alternative dispute resolution mechanisms rather than the court process.
The president noted that the move would save millions wasted in court cases due to paying hefty amounts to lawyers.
“What I have informed KRA is that all Kenyans are to be given a chance to pay taxes without any hindrance. I have told government agencies, that instead of paying taxes take KRA to court. We have told them to leave the court system and formalise a way with KRA on how to pay taxes.
“This is because the lawyers get rich out of this and the government loses in the end. In fact, there will be a circular that all government agencies cannot take KRA to court.
“If there is a challenge, let there be discussions between various agencies with KRA, sort issues out of court. We cannot use public money to sort out issues in court. We have to be united, seamless and organised,” Ruto stated.
The head of state expressed confidence in Kenyans’ willingness to pay taxes and thus contribute to reducing the massive debt accumulated by previous regimes.
“I am happy that as a country we have agreed and built consensus that irrespective of your status or all other considerations, whatever region and religion you have come from, we have agreed that there will be no waiver of taxes for anybody. We have agreed that everyone will pay their taxes,” he said.
“And I am now happy that together as a nation we have unified our thoughts that we will pay our taxes in accordance with our salaries. It is the best consensus we can have as a nation and it is the path that will help us pay our national debt.”
This comes amid a standoff with the Kenyatta family over allegations that they have not been paying taxes to the national taxman.
Former First Lady Mama Ngina Kenyatta broke the silence on Saturday, calling the standoff pointless politicisation of tax issues that can be resolved through government channels.
She added that politicians tell lies in order to appear to be working, and that if it is true that she has not been paying her taxes, her property should be sold.
