President-elect William Ruto has warned the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) against closing businesses over tax non-compliance issues.
Ruto rather asked KRA to employ diplomatic ways of solving issues with affected parties.
Speaking in Meru County on Sunday, Ruto said its wrong for the tax man to use forceful means to collect taxes.
He noted that he had directed KRA to stop using force and other means to collect levies but talk to Kenyans with respect, so they pay their taxes.
“We have already agreed that they will have decorum and respect and we will plan together with them so that every Kenyan pays their tax.
“And I will be on the front line to pay my taxes so that the rest may follow my lead,” he said.
The President-elect further reiterated the need to control the country’s borrowing appetite
“We have an opportunity to revive our economy. But we must stop borrowing money, and we must stop it.
“But for us to stop it, all of us who own a business must pay our taxes for us to have funds to run our nation,” he added.
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His sentiments come days after KRA moved to court accusing Keroche Breweries of failing to honour tax payment agreements .
According to the taxman, after the reopening of Keroche Breweries on July 29, the brewer declined to make good the payments as directed by the court.
KRA stated that Keroche was to pay Sh8million on August 6, Sh8million on August 30 and the current taxes worth Sh14.2million but the brewer failed to comply.
Keroche Breweries and KRA have been engaged in a tax impasse since May which has seen both parties move in and out of court following the closing of the factory by KRA .
