Former Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow has said spying on M-Pesa is an infringement of Kenyans’ rights.
Kerrow noted that if the government allows Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to spy on M-Pesa data they risk abusing the opportunity.
“I think the Constitution would not permit the government, KRA or other institutions to have access to my data or my phone or my bank account these are fundamental privacy rights,” he said.
Speaking during an interview with NTV on Monday, January 23, the former legislator said that everyday people do different transactions that are not income to be taxed.
“It is an infringement of the rights of our telephones because they contain private data.” Kerrow added.
In addition, the former law maker noted that the government should not allow any kind of law that would give institutions the power to abuse Kenyans’ rights and subject them to suffering.
Kerrow’s statement comes following the government’s plan to integrate the KRA tax system with M-Pesa and other online payments as it targets Sh3 trillion next financial year.
Also Read: COTU Opposes Proposal to Have KRA Monitor Individual M-PESA Transactions
In a detailed Draft 2023 Budget Policy Statement titled ‘Economic recovery agenda to promote inclusive growth’, the Kenya Kwanza government has outlined an aggressive tax collection plan, which is expected to net Sh2.8 trillion.
Furthermore, the National Treasury in the policy statement issued Wednesday noted that the government plans to undertake a combination of both tax administration and tax policy reforms to achieve this.
President William Ruto’s government is planning to reduce the Corporate Income Tax gap from 32.2 per cent to 30 per cent and integrate the KRA tax system with the telecommunication companies.
