Nairobi: President William Ruto has reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) with the policies and resources needed to innovate, simplify processes, build public trust, and serve taxpayers more efficiently. Speaking during this year's Taxpayers' Day celebrations held at State House, Nairobi, the President noted that KRA has made significant progress in innovation, highlighting that Kenya is among the earliest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to integrate AI-powered risk engines into tax compliance, a development that places the nation at the frontier of modern public administration.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Customs Department recently recorded its highest-ever monthly customs revenue, Sh 85 billion last month, following the piloting of these engines and the re-engineering of processes. Domestic VAT collections have also strengthened, increasing from Sh20 billion per month in the 2021/22 financial year to Sh28 billion today, as announced by the President.
Additionally, President Ruto emphasized that KRA has been central to advancing Kenya's economic sovereignty, noting that revenue collection has increased 21-fold, from Sh122 billion in 1995 to Sh2.57 trillion in the 2024/2025 financial year. He highlighted that the revenue collected has contributed to building schools and hospitals, powering infrastructure, and strengthening sovereignty, with a target to hit the Sh3 trillion mark this financial year.
The President urged all taxpayers to contribute their fair share, describing tax compliance as an act of patriotism and a vital contribution to nation-building. He stressed that paying taxes is not merely a legal obligation but an act of patriotism and solidarity, a collective commitment to the Kenya they aspire to build. He maintained that taxpayers must see value for their contribution, and every public institution must operate with transparency and integrity, ensuring that every shilling collected delivers visible results.
Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, John Mbadi, reiterated that revenue collection remained a central priority in financing the country's development agenda. He affirmed that the government would continue leveraging technology to modernize the tax framework, seal revenue leakages, and enhance overall system efficiency. He emphasized the importance of innovation in improving the fairness and effectiveness of the tax system and broadening the tax base.
KRA Board Chairman Ndiritu Muriithi outlined that the Authority's transformation agenda is anchored on transparency, innovation, and good governance. He mentioned that the strategic transition from an Authority to a Service reflects a deeper commitment to customer-centricity, accountability, and public trust. KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga added that KRA is redesigning its services around the citizens to ensure convenient, secure, and bureaucracy-free access to registration, filing, payment, and customer support.
During this year's Taxpayers Day Awards, KRA recognized various institutions and individuals for their exemplary commitment to tax compliance.