Member of Parliament Innocent Mugabe has accused the government and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) of being ‘lazy’ in their taxation policies, citing concerns over effectiveness and fairness.
Speaking on Saturday, June 15, 2024, the lawmaker accused the government and the tax agency of laziness in exploring alternative avenues for tax collection.
“Si ati Kenya haina pesa, Kenya iko na pesa lakini serikali na KRA ni wavivu wa kutafuta ushuru,” Mugabe asserted in Kiswahili. “They are lazy ndio maana wanataka kutafuta mbinu raisi raisi ya kuleta pesa, wanajua ukikata insurance lazima kuna tax.”
Mugabe emphasized that there are numerous untapped revenue sources that could generate income without burdening citizens who are already struggling to make ends meet. He particularly highlighted the issue of rental income tax evasion by landlords who make substantial profits without contributing taxes.
“We have thousands of landlords in this country ambao hawalipi tax ya rental. KRA should focus their energies, waende kule kwa malandlord ambao hawalipi rental tax watafute hio pesa wawachane na wananchi wa kawaida,”
Furthermore, the MP criticized the President William Ruto-led administration for not effectively addressing corruption, which he argued drains billions of taxpayers’ money that could otherwise fund essential projects and reduce the need for high taxation.
“Badala ya kuwaambia watu watoe pesa zaidi tungeweka pesa isaidie kufunga ufujaji wa pesa, we will save a lot of money. If we can seal those corruption loop holes then we will save a lot of money na wananchi tutawaondolea mzigo wa kuwaovertax,”
The MP had accompanied Hon. John Chikati for a fundraising event at Eluuya Girls Secondary School to support the construction of teachers’ houses. The school excelled in last year’s national exams.
