We are not overtaxed, Kenyans should be patriotic - PS Kiptoo

Treasury CS Chris Kiptoo has urged Kenyans to be patriotic when it comes to paying taxes.

Speaking during the National Executive Retreat in Naivasha, PS Kiptoo defended the government saying it is not overtaxing Kenyans.

He urged the government to create awareness of taxation because there is a misunderstanding.

"There are many people not paying taxes, we have 20 million Kenyans registered by the Kenya Revenue Authority but there are only 8.5 million that are active. Even those 8.5 million people are not paying taxes," he said.

"It is more about education and awareness. We seem to have lost the story around taxation where people are saying we are overtaxed. I do not think we are, especially if you compare it with other countries."

The PS said that Kenyans need to be patriotic and pay taxes as required by the law.

"Where I come from, Kenyans are paying Harambee every weekend and you do not struggle, how come when it comes to paying taxes we have to struggle?"

On Saturday, the PS  called on the business community to proactively pay their taxes.

He further urged the business community to champion compliance initiatives to enable the government to collect taxes and provide critical services and development programmes.

"I want to encourage everyone to be patriotic and pay their correct share of taxes. This will create a fair and competitive business environment, grow our economy and enable us to be self-reliant," he said.

KRA is currently implementing country-wide stakeholder engagement forums to enhance tax literacy and promote goodwill for the payment of taxes.