KRA sorry for traders’ harassment by officials

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has apologised for harassment of the business community by its officials.

Speaking during a Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) breakfast meeting at a Nairobi hotel yesterday, KRA Commissioner Fred Mugambi said they regretted any harassment that might have been meted on the business community.

This comes at a time the taxman has come under attack for what some critics have termed witch hunt against suspected tax evaders.

Mr Mugambi said KRA is a partner in business and not a hindrance as is commonly perceived. He added that no one should pay a bribe to get services done or tax filed at KRA.

“We have rapid response mechanisms towards corruption. Anyone who demands a bribe to get your business done at KRA should be reported to us,” he said.

Kepsa, in partnership with the Embassy of Ireland, organised the Women in Business Mentorship Breakfast whose main resolution was to improve the business environment for women.

Access to capital

Among those present were Ambassador of Ireland to Kenya Fionnuala Quinlan and businessman Manu Chandaria (who gave keynote speeches) as well as Isuzu East Africa Managing Director Rita Kavashe, Bidco Chairman Vimal Shah and Eva Muraya, chairperson of Kepsa Gender Sector Board.

Ambassador Quinlin reiterated the need for access to capital, citing some of the challenges to women in business as lack of access to finance and information networks.

“We recently launched a catalytic fund for SMEs in the dairy sector as part of our Ireland Kenya Agri-Food Strategy. The strategy aims at growing Irish-Kenya trade through institutional partnerships and support to agribusiness in three value chains - dairy, fisheries and potatoes,” she said.

She pledged support to women in business as a means to propel more investments by partnerships aimed at training and equipping women to spur growth.