Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Chairman Ndiritu Muriithi has moved to clarify growing public concern over claims that the tax agency intends to access Kenyans’ personal bank and mobile money accounts, describing the notion as a misunderstanding.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, September 22, 2025, Muriithi reassured Kenyans that KRA does not plan to directly access individual financial accounts, and that the confusion stemmed from misinterpretations of the now-amended Finance Bill, 2024.
“Some people understood it to mean that KRA would track all personal transactions. That is totally misunderstood,” said Muriithi.
Context: Finance Bill Concerns Spark Public Outcry
Earlier versions of the Finance Bill, 2024 included provisions that would have exempted KRA from data protection laws, allowing the authority to compel banks and telecoms to disclose private financial information for tax enforcement. The clause read:
“The processing of personal data is exempt from the provisions of this Act if disclosure is necessary for the assessment, enforcement or collection of any tax or duty under a written tax law.”
Though the provision was later removed, it caused a wave of public concern, prompting clarification from KRA leadership.
A Push for Tax Clarity and Fairness
Muriithi explained that the agency’s focus is not on surveillance, but rather on building systems that streamline tax collection and ensure greater fairness.
“When you pay for your lunch via M-Pesa, the money goes to the restaurant. The right amounts for taxes and levies are automatically routed to the relevant authorities. That’s the kind of efficiency we’re working towards—not tracking individuals,” he clarified.
He also pledged clearer communication going forward:
“We will explain harder this time what we are trying to do and hope to persuade Kenyans to allow us to implement systems that make tax collection easier.”
Expanding the Tax Base, Not the Burden
Muriithi reiterated that widening the tax base is central to reducing the financial burden on existing taxpayers.
“If everyone contributes, the amount that individuals and businesses have to pay will decrease. That is what we really need—so the burden doesn’t fall on a few who have a paycheck.”
He assured the public that data privacy remains a top priority and that the KRA is committed to balancing tax efficiency with citizens’ rights and transparency.
