The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has begun developing its first-ever Kenya Sign Language glossary for tax, customs, and systems terminology to make tax information more accessible to deaf Kenyans.
KRA said the initiative is in partnership with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), Kenya Sign Language (KSL) stakeholders, the Kenya Sign Language Interpreters Association (KSLIA), the Kenya National Association of the Deaf (KNAD) and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).
According to the Taxman, the glossary will contain 284 terms covering key areas of tax administration.
Customs terminology will account for 115 terms, while 75 terms will cover BSTEM and another 94 terms will focus on Domestic Taxes.
The process will assign each term an appropriate Kenya Sign Language sign.
KRA Develops First-Ever Kenya Sign Language Glossary for 284 Tax Terms
The signs will also be recorded to provide a reference for consistent communication of tax information.
KRA said the initiative is intended to promote inclusivity in tax administration while addressing gaps in functional tax literacy.
It is also expected to help reduce miscommunication and misinterpretation of tax terminology, particularly where technical tax and customs language can be difficult to understand.
“As the first initiative of its kind, the terminology handbook aims to promote inclusivity in tax administration, address gaps in functional tax literacy, and minimise miscommunication and misinterpretation of tax terminologies,” KRA said.
“By the end of the workshop, 284 terms will be covered, comprising 115 Customs terms, 75 BSTEM terms, and 94 Domestic Taxes terms. Each term will be assigned an appropriate sign, which will be recorded to support consistent and accessible communication of tax information.”
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The glossary brings together tax officials and organizations working with Kenyans with hearing impairment and people with disabilities, creating a common reference for the use of tax-related terminology in Kenya Sign Language.
The initiative comes as tax administration increasingly requires taxpayers to understand technical terms covering domestic taxes, customs procedures and digital tax systems.
For taxpayers who rely on Kenya Sign Language, the lack of standardized signs for specialized tax terminology can make it difficult to access and interpret information.
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How the New KRA Sign Language Glossary Will Help Taxpayers
The new glossary is expected to provide a common set of signs for explaining tax matters and interacting with taxpayers.
Once completed, the 284-term handbook and accompanying recordings will provide a reference point for communicating tax information in Kenya Sign Language.
KRA said the terminology handbook is intended to address gaps in functional tax literacy while reducing the risk of miscommunication and misinterpretation of tax terminology.
The initiative is expected to provide a common reference for KRA officers, sign language interpreters, educators and members of the Deaf community when discussing tax and customs matters.
The initiative also gives KRA an opportunity to improve how information on tax obligations and services reaches taxpayers who use sign language.
For taxpayers with hearing impairment, access to clear, consistent tax terminology can make it easier to understand filing requirements, customs procedures, and other interactions with the tax authority.
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