Shortly after assuming office, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi hinted at re-introducing some clauses in the defunct Finance Bill 2024 that he believed were not oppressive to taxpayers.
This saw him on the receiving end from quarters who perceived the entire bill as punitive. However, he has since defended his utterances.
In a TV interview on Thursday, August 22, Mbadi said that any new tax law that will be introduced will be subjected to sufficient public participation, and the Kenyans’ views will be considered.
"I am not a conman, and we are not conspiring to bring anything and ambush Kenyans. There is no legislation which will come from the Treasury to the National Assembly without an explanation given to the public. We must have proper public participation," said Mbadi.Among the clauses in the scrapped Finance Bill 2024 that Mbadi hinted at bringing back is the extension of the tax amnesty programme introduced by the Finance Act 2023.
The Finance Act 2023 introduced Section 37E to the Tax Procedures Act, 2015 which granted a tax amnesty on penalties and interest on tax debt.
Previously, Mbadi vowed to improve Kenya’s tax policy to encourage taxpayers to fulfill their patriotic duty of paying taxes.
The Treasury boss said abolishing penalties and interests will encourage Kenyans to pay their fair share of taxes regardless of social status.
He promised to make tax payments humane, noting that this would encourage compliance.
