President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered the National Treasury and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to increase the whistleblower reward from the current Sh2 million to Sh5 million.
On Friday, the President under the Informer Award Scheme said the scheme will play a vital role in restoring confidence in the tax system.
President Kenyatta said the launch of the iWhistle, will help maintain vigilance against tax evasion scheme planned and designed by professional service providers and financial institutions.
“The iWhistle platform will play a key role in monitoring tax malpractices, fraud, concealment, and unethical behavior by KRA staff. This marks a milestone in entrenching of the good ethos of governance and fight against corruption and tax evasion,” the President said.
According to President, the move will ensure that tax evasion or unethical conduct is recorded and confidentially probed and acted upon.
Speaking during the 17th edition of the Taxpayers Day, the President said: “I hereby direct the national treasury and KRA to increase the reward under the Informer award Scheme from Sh2 million to Sh5 million.”
Uhuru also noted that digitization by the KRA has seen it introduction of itax and m-service app which has played a key role in mending its relationship with its clients.
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“Though the current Covid-19 has seen a reduced level of economic activity, we managed to collect over Sh1.6 trillion in taxes and the growth was impressive,” Uhuru said.
According to him, how the country has grown his tax revenue despite the hard economic times is an indication that without persuasion to pay taxes, Kenya can achieve much.
“Paying taxes without coercion is key to national development and security. With due to dedication and diligence as a country we can achieve tremendous gains,” he said.
Related: KRA To Reward Tax Cheats Whistleblowers
