KRA initiates tax literacy programme in schools, colleges

KRA South Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Nelson Mukuriah(second right) hands a dummy cheque to Nakuru Girls High School Principal Rose Menjo during the Launch of Tax Education on November 10, 2021. [Harun Wathari, Standard]

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has initiated a pilot project that will see students in high schools and colleges learn why they will need to pay taxes.

The taxman has identified five secondary schools and a university to be centres of excellence and kick-start the tax education programme.

They are Pwani University, Kyeni Girls High School in Embu, Kanga High School in Migori, Starehe Girls Centre in Kiambu, AIC Chebisaas in Uasin Gishu, and Nakuru Girls High School in Nakuru.

To be considered as a centre of excellence, the institutions must have a functioning tax club and a well-equipped library. They must also excel in their studies.

Speaking during the project launch at Nakuru Girls on Wednesday, KRA Chief Manager, Stakeholder Engagement and Taxpayer Education Andrew Osiany said the taxman is championing tax literacy to enable students to appreciate the importance of paying taxes.

Mr Osiany said that KRA will partner with the schools to mainstream tax training in the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

He said that KRA will enhance the capacity of the centres to equip them to the same level like other learning institutions in their regions. “These centres will be consulted by other schools on taxation matters; hold tax talks, symposiums, tax debates, online programmes, and initiate other tax clubs around their regions."

The institutions will be taught tax administration matters; the meaning of tax, uses of tax, the mandate of KRA, tax audit process and international tax, among others, Osiany said.

KRA South Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Nelson Mukuriah said that tax education must be done from the basic level "to change the negative attitude to paying taxes."

“KRA is viewed as a hostile institution that rudely demands money from Kenyans. However, the narrative must change and Kenyans must realise that the taxes they pay are beneficial to them,” he said.

Nakuru Girls Principal Rose Menjo promised to start a tax club in the school.