MPs approve Sh2 billion for KRA to hire spies in crackdown against wealthy tax evaders

The National Assembly Budgets and Appropriations Committee has approved a Sh2 billion allocation to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) for the hiring of 1,000 spies.

KRA had made the request outlining that the intelligence officers would be mandated to identify and arrest wealthy tax cheats.

"Increase Sh2 billion to KRA budget for the recruitment of an additional 1,000 officers countrywide in order to generate an additional Sh50 billion in revenue in support of the achievement of this year's revenue targets," the committee's recommendation read in part.

KRA Head offices at Times Tower. MPs approve Sh2 billion for Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to hire spies in crackdown against wealthy tax evaders KRA Head offices at Times Tower Pulse Live Kenya

Wealthy Kenyans arrested over tax evasion

Some of the wealthy Kenyans who have been arrested on tax evasion charges include Keroche Industries directors Tabitha and Joseph Karanja, WOW Beverages owner Humphrey Kariuki and Mombasa tycoon Abdi Gedi Amin.

KRA Commissioner in charge of Tax Investigation David Yego recently told journalists that the taxman would launch investigations jointly with East Africa states to weed out the evaders.

"Expect to see up to 800 individuals and company directors before court by year end as we have enhanced our capacity to investigate the crimes including intelligence sharing among tax authorities from across East Africa," Yego conveyed.

KRA Commissioner General James Githii Mburu. MPs approve Sh2 billion for Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to hire spies in crackdown against wealthy tax evaders Pulse Live Kenya