Bribery, corruption claims painting KRA in bad light - Ruto

"I am not threatening KRA staff but they must do better."

In Summary
  • "It is expected that high cost will be cited as the excuse for low technology adoption in revenue administration. But we all know what is going on and why."
  • "KRA must acquire a new image, so that when people come to Times Tower, they don't come here trembling, but come happy to be served."
President William Ruto interacting with a KRA staff when he went to fie his returns at Time Tower on May 26, 2023
President William Ruto interacting with a KRA staff when he went to fie his returns at Time Tower on May 26, 2023
Image: PCS

President William Ruto has said corruption and increased bribery claims are the main challenges facing the Kenya Revenue Authority. 

The head of state said the whole country is aware that the acts are going on at the authority. 

"A culture of corruption, collusion, inefficiency and unprofessionalism is much more costly to the country than any efficient technology ever will be," he said. 

"It is expected that high cost will be cited as the excuse for low technology adoption in revenue administration. But we all know what is going on and why."

Ruto noted that resistance to the introduction and upgrading of revenue administration technologies is an emphatic signal of the corporate culture of the organisation. 

"The resistance suggests that arbitrary, opaque and fundamentally corruptible revenue collection methods are the preferred modus operandi."

The President said that his office shall be responsible for ensuring effectiveness, efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the use of public funds.

"I am not threatening KRA staff but they must do better."

On customer service, Ruto said KRA has not embraced a culture of supporting and facilitating taxpayers, alternative dispute resolution and the deployment of efficient technologies to improve revenue performance. 

"KRA must acquire a new image, so that when people come to Times Tower, they don't come here trembling, but come happy to be served."

The head of state spoke when he visited the authority's headquarters at the Time Tower to file his tax returns. 

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