Lifestyle audit after every 2 years, Iwhistle: How KRA fights corruption among its staff

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Acting Commissioner General Rispah Simiyu has revealed a raft of measures employed by the taxman to discourage corruption within the state agency.

Speaking on Citizen TV's The Explainer Show on Tuesday, Simiyu noted that apart from automating processes at KRA, the agency requires all of its staffers to partake in lifestyle audits after every two years. 

She added that apart from employees declaring their wealth, KRA regularly conducts integrity tests to determine whether any of them demand for bribes from Kenyans in order to render them free state services.

"Integrity testing determines how one will be served by a KRA officer at whatever level, be it at entry points or our offices.  If someone comes for a service that is free, will you demand any cash from them?" she posed.

She similarly told show host Yvonne Okwara of a new system, dubbed Iwhistle, that allows Kenyan taxpayers to anonymously report tax malpractices to KRA.

Kenyans who raise the alarm, Simiyu said, are gifted a small reward if their accusations are proven true.

She added that KRA officials implicated in tax malpractices cease work immediately to allow for internal investigations further noting that those found guilty of any such offences are swiftly axed off from the state agency.