Kenyan entrepreneurs decry multiple taxation

Kenyan industrialists have accused multiple taxation policies, especially those on imports and exports, of impeding efforts to grow the economy.

CEO of the Kenya Manufactures Association, Phyllis Wakiaga, on Friday called on the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to review the policies in order to enhance competitiveness of the economy.

"Taxation is increasingly becoming a challenge to manufacturers and thus the need to address it," Wakiaga said in the capital Nairobi during a meeting on the enhancement and collaboration on exports and imports facilitation.

"Better taxation policies will allow both sides to meet their objectives including increasing manufacturing competitiveness, government revenue and job creation," she said.

During the meeting, industrialists raised concerns about VAT refunds, "unfair treatment" of Kenyan exporters and VAT levies on raw materials and non-finished products.

The manufacturers are also concerned about misclassification of products to avoid duties, intelligence collaboration, as well as dumping, counterfeits and illicit trade.

KRA officials expressed their willingness to make trading easier for manufacturers and to consider the suggested changes, including to create Import Export (EXIM) rapid results program, enhanced border controls to curb counterfeit and illicit trade and regular surveys to eliminate contraband, substandard and illicit products. Endit