Filing tax returns: KRA sends appeal to Kenyans ahead of deadline
By Mustafa Juma, June 5, 2026The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intensified its appeal to Kenyans to file their tax returns ahead of the June 30 annual deadline.
The authority has urged citizens to embrace tax compliance as both a legal obligation and a patriotic duty essential to the country’s economic independence.
Speaking on Friday, June 5, 2026, during an ongoing tax compliance campaign, KRA Chief Manager for Public Relations and Communication Andrew Osiany described the authority as one of the country’s most critical institutions in sustaining government operations and reducing dependence on debt.
“The Kenya Revenue Authority, in my view, is the most consequential agency in Kenya,” Osiany said.
“We are the direct link between the people and the independence of our country in terms of freeing the country from debts.”
Osiany emphasised that revenue collection remains central to financing public services and development programmes, noting that Kenya’s ability to bridge budget deficits depends heavily on taxpayers meeting their obligations.
“We have a revenue collection target, and the deficit of that revenue collection target can only be met by our taxpayers who come out patriotically to do their patriotic duty and pay taxes,” he stated.
KRA’s digital platforms
The KRA official reminded Kenyans that filing tax returns is a mandatory legal requirement, even for individuals with nil returns, and encouraged taxpayers to use the authority’s digital platforms to complete the process with ease.
“For the sake of this campaign, people are there to file their tax returns, and it is very easy. Actually, it is mandated by law; according to the laws of Kenya, you are supposed to file your returns,” Osiany said.
He explained that taxpayers are required to self-declare their income, submit their returns through the iTax system, and make the necessary payments based on declared earnings.
The appeal comes as KRA ramps up public awareness campaigns ahead of the filing deadline, amid growing pressure on the government to enhance domestic revenue collection and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
Over the years, the authority has increasingly shifted services online in a bid to simplify compliance and widen the tax base.
However, KRA continues to face challenges, including tax evasion, low compliance among informal sector players, and public dissatisfaction over the cost of living and taxation policies.
Despite the concerns, the tax agency maintains that stronger compliance is necessary to fund critical sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, education, and security.
KRA has urged taxpayers to avoid last-minute rushes that often strain the online filing system and instead submit their returns early to avoid penalties and interest charges for non-compliance.
Under Kenyan law, individuals who fail to file returns within the stipulated period risk fines and other enforcement measures by the tax authority.