Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo Urges Kenyans to Embrace Patriotism, Denies Concerns of Over-taxation

 

Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo in a past brief. PHOTO|COURTESY

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo challenges the public perception of Kenyans being overtaxed, attributing the issue to a lack of education and patriotism.

• At a Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by President William Ruto, Kiptoo emphasizes the importance of tax education and awareness among Kenyans.

• He argues that Kenya's tax rates are reasonable compared to other countries and suggests that citizens' reluctance to pay taxes stems from a lack of motivation.

• Kiptoo draws a comparison between tax payments and the frequency of harambees (community fundraisers), urging Kenyans to exhibit the same willingness to pay taxes.

• He highlights concerns about tax compliance, citing data from the Kenya Revenue Authority indicating that only a fraction of registered taxpayers are actively remitting taxes.

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'We Are Not Overtaxed,' Treasury PS Chris Kiptoo Tells Kenyans To Be Patriotic

Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo has challenged the prevailing notion among the public that Kenyans are burdened with excessive taxes. Instead, he attributes this perception to a lack of both education and patriotism when it comes to fulfilling tax obligations. 

Speaking at a Parliamentary Group meeting chaired by President William Ruto in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kiptoo addressed the growing discontent over increased taxation, framing it as a matter of inadequate awareness among citizens regarding the country's tax system.

In his rebuttal to the outcry over tax hikes, Kiptoo asserted that Kenya maintains a reasonable tax rate in comparison to other nations. 

He suggested that the reluctance among citizens to fulfill their tax responsibilities stems from a deficiency in motivation rather than an actual overburdening of taxes. 

He emphasized the need for better education and awareness campaigns to enlighten the populace about the importance of taxation and its role in national development.

Drawing parallels between tax payments and the prevalence of harambees (community fundraisers) held nationwide for various causes, Kiptoo underscored the willingness of Kenyans to contribute financially when motivated. 

He urged citizens to redirect the same energy and enthusiasm displayed in supporting harambees towards fulfilling their tax obligations. 

This, he suggested, could alleviate the perceived struggle associated with tax payments and foster a culture of compliance and patriotism among Kenyans.

Expressing concerns over tax compliance, Kiptoo referenced data from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) indicating a significant gap between the number of registered taxpayers and those actively remitting taxes. 

Despite boasting 20 million registered taxpayers, only a fraction of approximately 8.5 million are actively fulfilling their tax obligations. 

This, according to Kiptoo, underscores the need for proactive measures to expand the tax base and enhance compliance among registered Kenyans, ultimately bolstering government revenue streams.