KRA Now Clarifies Tax 'Harassment' of Travelers

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has provided further clarification regarding the taxation of goods brought into the country by passengers returning home.

KRA has issued a revision to its previously declared statement that all goods worth Sh75,000($500) and above will be under taxation. In an update posted on the taxman's X platform, KRA acting deputy commissioner for policy and international affairs David Ontweka says that not all items will be taxed upon return. This modification addresses concerns raised by Kenyans who previously experienced unfavourable treatment from KRA’s customs officers concerning their personal and purchased belongings.

Before the KRA statement yesterday, their social media announcements informed the public that all goods brought into the country would be taxable. This announcement garnered criticism as Kenyans lamented that their items had undergone previous taxation. As a result, this extra taxation could potentially pose costly challenges at airport customs points. Consequently, the issue has propelled a call to action from a National Assembly Finance Committee representative who has labelled the KRA searches at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport a national shame.

In his plea to the committee, he calls for the distinguishing of commercial goods from personal items. The matter has drawn concern from the Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee which has raised its eyebrows at cases of the KRA exploiting the policy to inconvenience tourists, which negatively impacts the country's reputation. The committee chair Nelson Koech remarks that it's imprudent to mistreat visitors, especially during a time of economic struggle when the country is actively working to attract tourists.

While there are laws in place limiting the number of goods that can be brought into Kenya, Mr Koech emphasizes that this should not be used as an excuse to threaten or invade the privacy of passengers. Just recently, the Tourism Cabinet Secretary Dr Alfred Mutua attributed the decline in tourist visits to the mistreatment of tourists by KRA officials.