Governor Mandago calls for diplomacy in action on tax evaders

Governor Jackson Mandago (pictured) wants the Government and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to seek alternative ways of dealing with local investors accused of tax evasion instead of prosecuting them.

The Uasin Gishu county boss criticised the manner in which the Government was handling local companies accused of failing to pay taxes, terming the move counterproductive.

Hurt employment

“The Government and KRA should initiate amicable ways on how local companies with outstanding taxes running into billions of shillings should meet their tax obligation instead of closing down business, as the move would hurt employment opportunities for Kenyans,” said Mr Mandago.

He, however, asked local companies and individuals to clear all their outstanding taxes to enable the national and county governments to offer services to citizens.

He implored KRA to come up with a more diplomatic approach when dealing with non-compliant companies and individuals.

He was speaking on Friday during a ceremony to award bursaries to 550 bright but needy students selected to pursue higher education.

The students are set to join Kenya Medical Training College (KTTC), Egerton University, Kenya Water Institute and Animal Health and Industry Training Institute (AHITI) to pursue courses.

Mandago said the initiative, midwifed through the County Department of Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Social Services under the County Education Revolving Fund, was one way of empowering the youth to be self-reliant.

Empowering youth

“Education is a critical lever of development that fosters equality in society and I am asking you to take your studies seriously as this the only way of securing your future. We will continue empowering the youth by financing them to pursue technical and other high-demand courses,” he said.

The governor called on the youth to focus on creating self-employment initiatives through the hands-on courses they are set to pursue.

“My administration is very aware of the needs of its youth, and this is meant to make you resourceful people suitable for the job market,” said Mandago.

He congratulated the previous team of 100 students who joined KTTC for their discipline and hard work, adding that 98 of them completed and passed their examination. 

About 180 students will join AHITI, while 90 others are set to join Egerton University, 270 will join KTTC and 32 have already begun their training at the Kenya Water Institute.