“How Did You Afford This & That With Your Small Salary?” KRA Employees Under Fire

By Jane Okoth

Corruption and fraudulent deals are everyday happenings especially when we are talking about state or parastatal employees.

The big question is, will this vice be stemmed out among employees and which is the best way out?

Kenya’s biggest tax payer firm KRA is very keen on weeding out corruption in the agency.

The Daily Nation reports that the parastatal will conduct a lifestyle audit of its employees in order to weed out corrupt individuals from its ranks.

According to the paper, “The exercise will seek to evaluate an individual’s lifestyle vis-a-vis remuneration to establish any inconsistencies on how they acquired their wealth.”

The KRA board chairman Marsden Madoka said that “We shall get into their lifestyles to ensure their living is commensurate with what we pay them or have them explain the source of their wealth.”

The paper also reports that “The integrity checks on employees is part of the revenue collector’s wider attempts to streamline its operations to meet an expanded target set by the government.”

Earlier in the year, 67 KRA officials on permanent and pensionable terms were sent home.

A former employee of the firm who spoke on condition that he would be anonymous said the move will not work.

“Who will they audit because as far as am concerned 80% of the staff in parastatals and also government institutions are corrupt starting with the wakubwa.

Are their lifestyles also going to be audited?” He asks.

“If the move is to be effected, I am afraid the junior staffs will sadly serve as sacrificial lambs,” he says.

“Not only should a lifestyle audit be done to KRA but to all employees. They have a habit of stealing directly from the company or at the expense of taxpayers’ money so I support the move with full support” Ignatius Mayamba , a student at a public university.

Stella Musyoka, a clerical officer in a government institution is of the opinion that the move will target other employees unfairly.

“If we start that I am afraid we are going to audit everyone working in the government because majority of them are dishonest, “she says.

“In the process, some people acquired their wealth through the right channels and end up being victimized so in my opinion I think the move is not a fair one at all,” she concludes.

“With or without the audit corruption will still be there,” points out George Githinji, a job seeker. “But at least it is going to send a strong message to others with the same vice,” he adds.

Collins Ochieng , a retired police officer has a strong message to all employers.

“I think employers should do more than just auditing including sensitizing its workers on the importance of honesty and integrity,” he says.

“The message should also go out to the managers to lead by example if they want junior employees to follow suit,” he adds.

In your opinion, do you think the move is going to be effective at all and weed out corruption?

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