Kenyan Deputy President under investigation over Sh1,500,000 tax evasion allegation

Following observation of failure to pay his income tax since assumption of office on 9th April 2013, the Kenyan Investigation and Enforcement Department has written the country’s Deputy President, H. E. William S. Ruto, informing him of the department’s decision to visit and discuss the composition of his new income tax structure.

In a letter dated 3rd September 2021, titled “Re: Income Tax Returns Verification”, and signed by Dr Edward Kinyua Karanja, the Commissioner of Investigation and Enforcement Department, it said that its decision was as a result of recent revelations by the number two citizen. The letter points out that various commercial ventures, including a poultry farming enterprise, according to the Deputy President, generates a daily income of Sh1,500,000 sums of which he (H. E. Ruto) remitted no tax to the Kenyan Revenue Authority (KRA)

While citing Section 59 of the country’s Tax Procedure Act, 2015 as backing the move, the department named two of its officials whom it said would visit the Deputy President on 6th September to discuss the composition of H. E. Ruto’s new income tax structure.

The letter read this: ” Since you assumed office on 9th April 2013, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has not received any taxes from yourself other than your mandatory income tax in your capacity as the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya. However, in the light of recent revelations of your various commercial ventures, the KRA has taken this opportunity to review and restructure your tax obligations.

“Your poultry farming enterprise, for instance, as reported in media interviews generates a daily income of Sh1,500,000 sums of which you remit no taxes to the KRA.

” Our officers, 1. Mr Williams Ekakuro and 2. Mr Kambe Katara will visit you at a venue of your choosing on 6th September 2021 at 10 am to discuss the composition of your new income tax structure

“The request is made under provisions of Section 59 Tax Procedure Act, 2015”.