Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah has spearheaded a bill that allows the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to collaborate with public institutions of higher learning. This initiative, proposed by the Cabinet Secretary of the National Treasury and Economic Planning, Njuguna Ndung’u, is part of the 2024/2025 budget.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill 2024 seeks to enable KRA to partner with universities, colleges, and TVETs (Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions) to offer specialized programs in revenue administration. This legislative proposal aims to amend the existing Kenya Revenue Authority Act by inserting a new subsection immediately after subsection 2A. Currently, Section 2A permits the authority to establish institutions for capacity building and training for its staff, the general public, and other jurisdictions.
If passed, the amendment will allow KRA to broaden its educational mandate, developing curricula to assess and examine students and awarding them qualifications in revenue administration. The bill outlines that the institution established under subsection 2A will have the function of offering programs in revenue administration, either directly or in collaboration with other higher education institutions.
“The functions of the institution established under subsection 2A shall include offering directly or in collaboration with any other institutions of higher learning, programs in revenue administration and any other programs as may be deemed fit,” states part of the proposed amendment.
The KRA, whose primary function is the collection and receipt of all revenue, will now potentially play a crucial role in educating the next generation of revenue administrators. This new function aligns with KRA’s mandate to advise the government on matters related to revenue administration and collection under written laws and to perform any other functions in relation to revenue as directed by the Cabinet Secretary.
This educational initiative is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of revenue collection in Kenya by equipping future professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge. The collaboration between KRA and higher learning institutions will provide students with practical and theoretical insights into revenue administration, potentially leading to improved compliance and innovative revenue collection strategies.
Stakeholders in the education and financial sectors have welcomed the proposed bill, viewing it as a forward-thinking approach to capacity building in revenue administration. The integration of academic programs focused on revenue collection is anticipated to create a well-informed and competent workforce, ready to tackle the complexities of revenue administration in Kenya.
As the bill awaits deliberation and approval, the potential impact on both the education sector and the revenue administration landscape in Kenya remains significant. The initiative represents a strategic effort to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical application in the field of revenue collection, ultimately aiming to bolster the country’s economic framework.
