Following the release of a new, odious regulation that aims to tax domestic or personal goods, whether they are new or used, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has faced significant criticism.
The controversial announcement was made by the KRA handle on X, formerly Twitter. It stated that any things brought by passengers that cost USD 500 (about Ksh 75,000) or more would be subject to levy.
“Remember that you can bring up to $500 worth of personal or home goods with you on your travels. The tweet stated, “Anything over that amount will be taxed.”
A previous tweet by X user Dickson Otieno, bemoaning the KRA’s poor handling of arrivals at the JKIA and predicting that Kenya would “lose a lot of travelers and goodwill” if the current pattern continued, seemed to have prompted the announcement.
Kenya is about to lose a lot of tourists and goodwill due to the way KRA is managing arrivals at JKIA. You would think that their collection of fees from obnoxious newcomers would cover our expenses,” he stated.
“Our nation is ineffective. At this point, it is invisible to us. There are personal belongings strewn all over the place. An iPad has been taken from someone. That’s strange.”
Otieno went on to criticize the authorities for their harsh handling of tourists’ things and their reckless behavior, questioning why the procedure couldn’t be more cordial and well-organized.
“Long lines. “It is frustrating for guests to have to stand in line, open their bags, and expose their personal belongings to individuals who are robbing them of their belongings without using gloves,” he exclaimed.
The KRA personnel’s purported harassment of foreign visitors at the nation’s entry and departure points has already drawn the attention of Alfred Mutua, the cabinet secretary for tourism.
Mutua says that some KRA officials are frightening away tourists with their disproportionate and pointless checks.
“Even though our visitors arrive with their cameras and shoes on, they still face harassment at the airport. Our guests are mistreated by KRA officials at the airport, which gives them a bad impression. You’re left wondering why they never return, Mutua bemoaned.
Mutua drew attention to the more tourist-friendly practices in other locations by contrasting Kenya with them.
“When you travel to Rwanda, you are not harassed. Is taxes not collected in Rwanda? When you travel to South Africa, you encounter no harassment. You are not harassed in Dubai. “So, why do our guests encounter these difficulties in Kenya?” he said.
The KRA’s most recent edict, which aims to tax personal goods valued at more above Ksh. 75,000, caused the most ire from Kenyans on X (KOX), who expressed their fury and denounced the government organization for what they described as bold daylight robbery.
Gabriel Oguda, a well-known X personality and social commentator, expressed his displeasure with thousands of angry Kenyans by declaring, “All goods, new or used, are subject to taxes.” You would still have to smile at the KRA officer slapping you with a tax slip whether your new iPhone is wrapped in a dusty handkerchief or inside a glittering box. “Mlisema, can you please get up from the bottom?”
“Imagine landing in Kenya from London and KRA wants to charge you 63% of the market value of any gadget that you have brought your loved one as a gift,” said another user, @Mohammed_Onyango, who was unable to understand the logic in the plan.
Nesh Maina, an official State House photographer who is also thought of as a government insider due to his closeness to authority, seems to have experienced the alleged KRA incompetence and took to X to offer some insider travel advice.
“When you get to the international arrival terminals at JKIA, unpack your new electronics. When I say unboxing, I mean leaving the MacBook or iPhone box that came with your purchase behind. Moreover, turn it on. It will support. Instead of packing your carry-on bag, put the new phones in your pocket,” he tweeted.
The contentious tweet has now been removed by the KRA X account following significant internet criticism, though no further explanation has been provided.
