If you are a taxpayer in Western Kenya, here is why KRA is coming for you
Western
By
Olivia Odhiambo
| Mar 04, 2026
KRA steps up tax compliance drive targeting nil return and non-filing taxpayers in Western Kenya. [File, Standard]
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has launched its search for more than 3 million registered taxpayers in Western Kenya who file nil returns, and others who do not file at all.
Out of the more than 3 million taxpayers, 124,000 are non-individual pinholders who have businesses but are filing returns at all or are filing nil returns.
KRA will use third-party information to reach these people and has already begun holding sensitization meetings with SMEs from the Western region.
KRA collection potential stands at Sh2.9 trillion from the Western region alone.
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According to KRA officials, Western Kenya has the largest number of registered taxpayers, second only to Nairobi County.
Speaking in Kisumu during a round table discussion with the media, KRA deputy commissioner, Tax Base Expansion, Esther Wahome, said their target is those in the taxable threshold who are not paying taxes
"We know some businesses are not doing well, but we also know there is an information gap. The education bit is our agenda this period. We have simplified our processes to make it easier for taxpayers," said Wahome.
She added, "We understand businesses are not doing well, but taxation is on income. We only tax you based on income. We only want to share the budget equitably."
KRA Commissioner for Micro and Small Taxpayers George Obel said self-employment in the country has grown from two million to 16 million.
According to KRA commissioner Obel, 22 million people are registered with them, and out of this number, six million have pins and are paying taxes, out of which 3 million are employed.
The commissioner said 17 million Kenyans who have pins are paying nil returns, while some have not been filing at all.
"We have stopped the filing of nil returns as we try to get a hold of information on their incomes. Our key agenda is to ensure tax is paid equitably as we sensitize our people on their tax obligations," he added.
He noted that tax collection has come down to 14 per cent from 18 per cent, with the economy significantly growing.
KRA is also empowering young taxpayers across the country through school clubs as they work on championing tax compliance as a duty.
Officials said the school club will socialise the learners into the habit of tax compliance from an early age, so that they can develop the culture of tax payments.
They are also laying strategies to work with churches to ensure they implore their congregations to pay taxes, and also have a curriculum developed so that students can start learning at an early stage about taxation.