The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has clarified the contentious announcement noting that visitors arriving at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will declare all goods valued at above Ksh75,000.
Speaking to the media, KRA’s Ag. Deputy Commissioner in charge Policy and International Affairs David Ontweka said that the rule does not apply to all goods worth the said amount in general.
According to him, KRA is cognizant that passengers carry their own personal belongings while traveling and as such it could not subject such goods to taxation.
Instead, Ontweka stated that the rule is only applicable in cases where the visitors have more than one product of the same type and valued beyond the cap of Ksh75,000.
In such a case, the visitors would have to declare the rest of the goods according to the acting Deputy Commissioner.
“When you have traveled out of the country and you are coming back you will always come with the clothes and bags that you came with,” the Deputy commissioner said.
“But where you purchase goods valued at USD 500 (Ksh 75,000) and which are more than one you are required to declare the rest for purposes of tax.”
In response to concerns about long queues experienced at the airport, KRA’s Chief Manager of Passengers Clearance Sally Sally Serem said that the authority has taken measures to ensure seamless flow in the process of clearing visitors.
“We have conducted numerous capacity-building programs and also engaged our Customs Officers at the airport by organizing them into various shifts with a clear process for carrying out their duties,” she stated.
Also Read: KRA Forced to Delete Controversial Post on Taxes After Uproar
KRA post sparks reactions
The statements came a day after a post by the tax collecting authority sparked outrage over what Kenyans referred to as unrealistic custom regulations.
Kenyans from various quarters took to social media to express their disapproval of the tax measure.
Additionally, the taxman came under pressure with Kenyans including senior government officials expressing their concerns that such regulations could scare off tourists from listing Kenya.
Also Read: KRA Lists Phones, Fruit Juice Among Items You Can’t Bring to Kenya for Free
In an earlier statement, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua affirmed his resolve to push for tourist-friendly regulations in a bid to promote the sector in Kenya.
