MPs summon KRA officials over tax on travellers’ personal items worth Ksh.75K
The National Assembly’s Finance
and Planning Committee has summoned senior management of the Kenya Revenue Authority
(KRA) over its latest bid to institute taxation measures on personal or
household items whether new or used being brought into the country.
The committee expressed alarm by
complaints lodged on social media over alleged harassment of tourists by KRA officials
who demand tax from anyone bringing in items worth USD 500 (Ksh.75,425) and
above.
While acknowledging that KRA was
within its right under the East African Community Customs Management Act 2010,
the committee Chairman said a review of the law was necessary.
“We
cannot continue to send people away when we need to continue giving them
morale. The tourism sector is becoming very competitive around the world, we
must be cautious,” Finance Committee Chair Kuria Kimani said.
Kuria said they will be reviewing
the East African Community Customs Management Act 2010 with a view of amending
the controversial proposals to make them more friendly.
“As we’re
trying to resuscitate the economy, we need better treatment of taxpayers, If
there is need to review the law and make sure we maintain Kenya as a tourist
destination of choice, then we are seized of the matter,” he stated.
According to Kuria, the law
applies to all East African Community countries but only Kenya is enforcing its
proposals. The committee worried that this will make Kenya less attractive to
tourists and investors.
“There
is a need to review the regulations to ensure they are in tandem with our
neighbours so that we don't become less competitive. Mombasa is competing with
Zanzibar, Maasai Mara with the Serengeti…it is important that we ensure that
regulation doesn’t make us lose ground,” he added.
The post by KRA on social media
has caused an uproar, forcing the authority to delete it.
The committee will also seek to
address other tax related concerns raised by Kenyans.
The Chair spoke during a
committee session where State Department for Planning Principal Secretary James
Muhatia defended their bid not to have their budget slashed saying it would cripple
national building plans.
The committee is further
concerned that various State agencies and departments were not performing
optimally indicated that they would initiate an audit to ensure tax payers money
was not lying idle.
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