MPs call on KRA to adopt digital systems

By JAMES MBAKA

Kakamega, Nairobi: Two legislators have urged the country’s taxman to embrace electronic systems to seal spillage of public funds through corrupt deals.

Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale and Marakwet East MP David Bowen said adoption of electronic tax collection measures and switching to e-procurement and electronic tendering would save the country from losing billions of shillings.

The legislators lamented that the country loses a lot of money on procurement and tax collection through corruption cartels within government departments.

Budget deficit

They said enhancing measures of revenue collection by KRA through electronic systems to crack down on tax evaders and developing watertight software for electronic procurement would save the country up to Sh300 billion lost through corruption.

The duo argued that the funds raised through sealing of corruption avenues would be used to bridge the budget deficit and address the burgeoning public sector wage bill.

The two, however, noted that the Jubilee government had shown goodwill in the fight against graft but called for more action to dismantle corruption cartels.