National Assembly Minority leader Opiyo Wandayi has reiterated that there is a need for an audit of the National Treasury and KRA.
In a statement on Tuesday, Wandayi raised concern over the numbers given by KRA in its statement on Monday, saying they were worse than expected.
KRA said as of March 31, it had collected eight percent more as compared to the last financial year.
"As at the close of March 2023, revenue collection averaged 95.1 percent on original target and 93.4 percent on Supplementary target, representing a collection of Sh1.554 trillion," the statement read.
In response, Wandayi appeared to disagree with KRA.
"Yesterday (Monday), KRA claimed that it had met over 95 percent of its original target and is looking forward to recording a surplus by June. This sounds like a fairytale. Somebody must be busy manufacturing new targets at every turn!" he said.
Wandayi further noted that despite the tax agency's numbers, counties were yet to receive their equitable share of the revenue.
This is according to data released by the National Treasury Exchequer.
In reference to the statement by KRA and the remarks made by the President's economic advisory team chair David Ndii on loans affecting revenue targets, the MP said the Kenya Kwanza government was issuing conflicting remarks.
"Treasury CS Dr. Njuguna Ndungu and Treasury PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo have merely confirmed what we already know; that the situation is bad and Kenyans should tighten their belts," Wandayi said.
He added:
"It is clear that we are dealing with a tower of Babel whose builders are busy telling Kenyans how bad things are and how Kenyans must tighten their belts. We maintain that KRA and the National Treasury owe Kenyans an explanation on the whereabouts of their money."
Wandayi said it was time for the government to provide solutions and stop heaping burden on Kenyans.
He wondered where the money previously used to subsidize food was, why the government was borrowing instead of restructuring debts, and why there were added state positions when there were constant cries of empty coffers.
The MP proposed the establishment of a committee of legislators and finance experts to examine the expenditure regime, administration, and policies obtained at major financial institutions.
He said the committee should examine and come up with a rational explanation of the financial state.
He added that there was a need to end the non-essential government expenditures.
"Among the expenditures that must be cut are the appointments of Cabinet Administrative Chiefs," Wandayi said.
He further proposed a cut to unnecessary domestic and international travel.
