Nairobi, Kenya – 11^th June 2025: The Boards of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) today reaffirmed their institutions’ commitment to transforming tax administration and policy in Kenya. The pledge was made during a high-level roundtable held at KRA headquarters in Nairobi, building on nearly a decade of strategic collaboration between the two institutions, which are dedicated to creating a fair, efficient, and business-friendly tax environment.

The roundtable highlighted significant milestones from the KEPSA-KRA partnership, including the full implementation of eTIMS, which has led to faster VAT refunds; the introduction of Green Channels to ease cargo clearance; and a tax amnesty that waived Ksh. 650 billion in penalties, thereby enhancing compliance. The tax base has also broadened significantly, with over 720,000 new taxpayers contributing to over Ksh. 7.8 billion over the financial years since the FY 2019/2020.

In his remarks, KEPSA Chairperson Mr. Jas Bedi highlighted the joint efforts to enhance compliance, modernise systems, and align tax policy with Kenya’s economic realities. “The private sector, led by KEPSA, is committed to supporting a stable, predictable tax regime that enables growth, especially in times of economic hardship,” he said.

He noted that while Kenya's economy has shown resilience, growing at an average of 5.0% between 2022 and 2024, outpacing global and regional averages, challenges persist. Household poverty is on the rise, and access to credit remains constrained, which in turn dampens investment growth. “These factors underscore the need for a robust partnership between the public and private sectors to sustain growth momentum,” added Mr. Bedi.

While appreciating these sentiments, KRA Chairman Hon. Ndiritu Muriithi responded by urging the private sector to engage actively in the national budget cycle, interrogating both revenue-raising measures and expenditure proposals to inform the discourse on the national economic recovery. “We must extend our focus beyond revenue collection to include budget expenditure,” said Hon. Ndiritu Muriithi, Chairman of the KRA Board. “The private sector is the engine of our economy, and as such, I urge KEPSA to amplify its voice on both the Finance Bill and the Budget Expenditure, as it is essential in ensuring that government spending aligns with Kenya’s revenue strategies and sustainable economic growth.”

Additionally, Ms. Carole Kariuki, KEPSA CEO, emphasised the need to modernise and streamline tax systems, particularly the migration of legacy data into iTax and resolving issues that prevent taxpayers from accessing refunds and Tax Compliance Certificates (TCCs). “We must ensure that resolved disputes are promptly reflected in taxpayer accounts and automate residency adjustments to prevent duplicate liabilities,” she noted.

Key Highlights and Proposals from the Roundtable:

1. Simplified Tax Refunds and iTax System Improvements.

• Enhance synergy among KRA teams and provide clear guidelines on refunds.
• Enable taxpayers to amend auto-populated VAT data.
• Automate migration and reconciliation of pre-iTax overpayments.
• Address challenges faced by expatriates due to split PAYE credits.

2. Special Economic Zones (SEZs)

• Publish comprehensive customs and tax guidelines for SEZ goods.
• Clarify the applicability of EAC Rules of Origin and Gazette Notice 6930.
• Streamline excise duty exemptions and VAT obligations for SEZ entities.
• Clarify corporate tax deductions for all SEZ investments.

3. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

• Expedite implementation of ADR decisions in iTax.
• Adequately resource teams handling dispute resolutions.
• Update taxpayer records immediately upon ADR agreement filings.

4. Credit Adjustment Vouchers (CAVs)

• Develop mechanisms to liquidate perpetual credits and restrict CAVs where refunds are applicable.

5. Improved Communication & Internal Coordination

• Address disruptions caused by frequent staff changes at KRA.
• Equip Tax Service Offices (TSOs) with sufficient resources and technical support.

6. Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR)

• Introduce a secure, structured iTax module for filing CbCR reports, enhancing data security and compliance.

The roundtable concluded with a call to action for board members to continue fostering candid and innovative dialogue. “The KEPSA-KRA partnership continues to yield tangible improvements, and our collective efforts are key in shaping a tax system that fuels economic development and encourages compliance,” said Mr. Humphrey Wattangea, the KRA Commissioner General. He was echoed by the KEPSA Vice Chair, Ms. Brenda Mbathi, who reaffirmed KEPSA’s dedication to the ongoing collaboration with KRA. “We are confident that these efforts will yield shared successes, and we look forward to driving meaningful reforms together.”

Looking ahead, both institutions are committed to regular technical team meetings to address specific tax administration issues, quarterly meetings between KEPSA leadership and the KRA Commissioner General to discuss broader economic and tax policy issues, and biannual KEPSA-KRA Board roundtables to monitor progress and resolve outstanding issues. Furthermore, KEPSA will continue to convene engagements between its members and KRA to address tax administration pain points and enhance tax compliance.

The two boards have committed to a strategic partnership focused on advancing key economic and fiscal initiatives. This collaboration includes advocating for the implementation of the Trade Remedies Act to strengthen fair trade practices, promoting the zero-rating of strategic goods and export-related goods and services to streamline VAT refunds, and supporting the Kenya Revenue Authority’s efforts to modernize its infrastructure, thereby enhancing service delivery to citizens and fostering a more competitive business environment.

Additional KEPSA Board members who participated in the roundtable included Eng. James Mwangi, Director for Energy and Professional Services; Ms. Mary Ngechu, Director for SMEs and Start-ups; Ms. Mutheu Kasanga, Director for Education, Sports, Arts, Culture, and ICT; Dr. Kanyenje Gakombe, Director for Health; and Mr. Othmane Chaoui, Director for Foreign Investments.