Crackdown looms: KRA to freeze accounts, seize assets of housing levy defaulters
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
On Monday, August 17, the national dailies reported on the chaos witnessed in Homa Bay county during the Linda Mwananchi rally.
The papers also reported on the looming crackdown by the Kenya Revenue Authority targeting Housing Levy defaulters.
1. Daily Nation
Workers, traders and employers risk bank account freezes, asset seizures and PIN deactivation as the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) prepares to launch a crackdown on housing levy defaulters.
The clampdown follows changes to the law that took effect on July 1, allowing KRA to enforce collection of unpaid levies through tough measures deployed on tax cheats and defaulters.
KRA has been collecting the levy equivalent to 1.5% of gross pay or income from July 2024, but lacked the legal powers to crack down on defaulters, allowing thousands of workers and firms to evade payment.
The Finance Act plugged the loophole and offered KRA higher commissions for the taxman on collection of housing levies, whose collection in the year to June stood at KSh 79.9 billion.
Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga said the government now expects "greater bite" from KRA after the Authority insisted on explicit legal powers before pursuing employers who deducted the levy from workers but failed to remit it.
"KRA said they needed explicit powers to recover unremitted or unpaid amounts," Hinga said on Friday signalling that the ministry now expects stronger enforcement because.
2. The Standard
On Sunday, August 16, chaos rocked Homa Bay as the Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi movement stormed the county to sell their 2027 bid.
The tour was marked by heightened political tension and attempts to disrupt the meetings, which started from Nyandiwa, Suba South constituency.
The foray, which brought together Nairobi Senator Sifuna, Siaya governor James Orengo, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and other opposition leaders, was characterised by road blockades and burning tyres.
Large stones were placed on a number of roads leading into and out of Homa Bay early in the morning, while tyres were set ablaze at Oyugis junction.
“I appreciate the locals for taking upon themselves to open the roads and welcome us. It is a statement that democracy must be entrenched in this country,” Suba South MP Caroli Omondi said.
He alleged that the team was under pressure to abandon the campaign, adding they will proceed with their quest.
“We have come to learn that citizens are cleverer than the leaders. We urge the people of Homa Bay to support us. We are sure of winning this race,” the MP said, exuding confidence Ruto will lose the election.
At some point, suspected goons attacked leaders and journalists covering the rally.
3. Taifa Leo
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.