The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has revealed that Western Kenya is the country’s second-largest tax base after the capital city, Nairobi. KRA CG Humphrey Wattanga. The taxman said a fraction of residents in Western Kenya pay taxes. The national government’s principal revenue collector reported that the region has more than three million registered taxpayers. What is Western Kenya’s tax potential? However, it noted that the region has untapped revenue potential of more than KSh 2 trillion, as only a fraction of taxpayers pay their fair share of taxes. The taxman reiterated its aim to expand the tax base through taxpayer education and outreach. “Did you know? Western Kenya is Kenya’s second-largest tax base after Nairobi, with three million plus registered taxpayers and a revenue potential exceeding KSh 2 trillion. Yet only a fraction actually remit taxes. That is why sustained taxpayer education and outreach are essential,” it stated on X on Friday, March 6. How did Kenyans react to KRA’s statement?
TUKO.co.ke sampled some reactions on social media: Kevin Wekesa: “Did you know Western Kenya is so underdeveloped? Poor people do not pay taxes.” @alfsiero: “I thought it was Central Kenya.” @ThomasHallu1: “I could have sworn the biggest tax base was Murima (Mt Kenya region).” Martin Wacira: “Taxation should be region-based going forward. I mean, it beats logic to start salivating for Mulembe trillions, then after taxation, they get little or nothing compared to their contribution to the national GDP.” Most residents in Western Kenya rely on sugarcane farming. Photo: William Ruto. Source: Twitter Dan Kasaina: “Debunking the false narrative we have been fed for years that only a certain part of the country remits over 70% of Kenya’s tax revenue.” @muiruriken19: “Many people in the village actually had KRA pins so their sons and daughters could apply for HELB.
Not many of them actually know what filing returns is leave alone not paying. They will usually be slapped with hefty penalties for late filing of nil returns that they don’t know.” @deetsmike: “I think KRA needs to take lessons on how not to lose money after collecting taxes from taxpayers. You are very good at collecting money, but very poor at keeping it and stopping the government from overspending.” Malcom M: “Population and economic activity are not related.” Neil Masimba: “Really? It should be Central Kenya.” Eric Nyamweya: “Western Kenya or Murima?”
