President William Ruto is expected to outline broad measures his new administration will take to grow tax compliance levels, which will be key in his plan to gradually wean Kenya off costly external debts.
Ruto will in his inauguration speech today (Tuesday) announce measures to tackle the food crisis and bring down the cost of living — perhaps the most pressing challenge of his administration in the first 100 days — including slashing fertiliser prices.
But the heavier task ahead for the new President, as he settles down to work, will be dealing with the mountain of debt, the wage bill crisis, pending bills, and unemployment.
Dr Ruto has already directed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to adopt a friendlier but more efficient tax administration system as part of his strategy to increase compliance levels in an economy dominated by the informal sector.
Read Also:
“As we work together to get our economy out of the mud, I am asking every Kenyan that we must do two very important things [paying taxes and savings]. Each and every one of us must pay their taxes and I have said I am going to lead from the front, making sure I pay my taxes,” Dr Ruto said Sunday.
“I have already talked to the KRA, they are going to be disciplined, professional and they will work with every Kenyan.”