The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has fired 25 employees and recovered Ksh549 million in its renewed unwavering commitment to combat corruption within the agency.
In a statement on December 16, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga said the renewed focus comes with the introduction of a series of robust measures designed to uphold integrity, ensure accountability and enhance public confidence in the tax administration system.
“We are committed to transforming KRA into a world-class institution with the highest standards of integrity and accountability. Through these strategic measures, including the use of technology and a firm stance on corruption, we are not only enhancing revenue collection but also building a more transparent and efficient tax administration system for the people of Kenya,” Wattanga said.
KRA issued a total of 84 verdicts sanctioning staff for various misconduct in the first quarter (Q1) of the Financial Year 2024/2025 (July September 2024) compared to just 37 verdicts during the same period in FY 2023/2024.
Among these sanctions, Summary Dismissals rose sharply to 25 cases in Q1 of FY 2024/2025 from just 7 in the same period last year, reflecting KRA’s zero- tolerance policy towards corruption.
Additionally, the number of Termination of Services cases dropped from 8 in Q1 of FY 2023/2024 to 3 in Q1 of FY 2024/2025, while the combined cases of Warning and Lifting of Interdiction decreased from 7 to 4, indicating a more focused approach towards dealing with misconduct.
KRA Lifestyle Audit
In addition to these efforts, KRA has implemented lifestyle audits which have proven to be effective in identifying illicit wealth among staff.
In FY 2023/2024, 41 lifestyle audits were conducted leading to the recovery of Kshs549 Million.
Other key anti-corruption measures include profiling tax evaders and the adoption of a Whole of Government approach, which promotes collaboration across public institutions to enhance compliance and curb evasion.
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iWhistle Platform
KRA has also leveraged technology to seal revenue leakages.
One of the key innovations is the introduction of iWhistle, a web- based platform that allows the public to anonymously report corruption and tax evasion activities.
The iWhistle has been instrumental in recovering Ksh4.22 billion in FY 2023/2024 alone.
Informers Reward Scheme
Further, KRA has established a reward scheme offering informers 5% of the tax recovered with a maximum pay-out of Ksh5 Million per case.
The Authority has instituted an Integrity Award Framework to recognize and celebrate KRA staff who exemplify outstanding support in promoting integrity within the organization.
These initiatives have contributed significantly to the improvement of KRA’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI), which has seen a notable upward shift rising from 30.0% in FY 2023/2024 compared to 38.6% in FY 2019/2020.
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Risk Driven Compliance Interventions
KRA has also introduced Risk Driven Compliance interventions, ensuring that all actions taken are supported through risk assessments and data analysis.
This approach enhances transparency by informing taxpayers of the basis for KRA’s actions while also ensuring proper documentation for audit trails.
Other Interventions
KRA has further established Corruption Prevention Committees (CPCs) to set up priorities in the prevention of corruption within operational areas.
The CPCs take appropriate administrative actions against any reported malpractices, reporting on emerging risks and meets quarterly to evaluate implementation of the Public Service Integrity Program (PSIP) activities.
Additionally, KRA is currently implementing the East African Revenue Authorities (EARA) Anti-Corruption Framework that includes the establishment of an integrity communication strategy and whistle-blower mechanisms.
The Authority is also in the initial stages of implementing the already ratified World Customs Organization East and Southern Africa (WCO ESA) Code of Conduct on Integrity.
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