Wandayi pokes holes on KRA statement on revenue collection
National Assembly minority leader Opiyo Wandayi has responded to Kenya Revenue Authority’s statement over its ‘near perfect’ revenue collection progression.
Wandayi said, “Things are not adding up”.
In a statement on Monday, KRA said it has kept pace with revenue collection targets with a performance at 95.1 percent of the pre-Supplementary Budget target as of the close of March 2023.
The Authority said it has collected KES 1.55 trillion for the 2022/23 financial year which is 93.4 percent of the supplementary target and 8 percent more than the same period in the last financial year.
The Taxman said it’s not to blame in the present liquidity crunch.
Even Wandayi has raised concern over the numbers, terming them “a fairytale”.
“Treasury CS Dr. Njuguna Ndungu and Treasury PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo have merely confirmed what we already know; that the situation is bad and Kenyans should tighten their belts,” Wandayi said.
“KRA, on the other hand, maintains it has done its bit. Yesterday, KRA claimed that it had met over 95 percent of its original target and is looking forward to recording a surplus by June. This sounds like a fairytale. Somebody must be busy manufacturing new targets at every turn!”.
Subsequently, Wandayi has called on the establishment of a Committee of legislators and finance experts to examine the expenditure regime, administration, and policies obtained at major financial institutions.
He said the committee shall examine and come up with a coherent explanation on the true state of the country’s books.