During a meeting with Kenyans living in Ghana, the President emphasized the importance of not burdening them with excessive taxes. He acknowledged that these individuals were already fulfilling their tax obligations in their countries of residence, and therefore, it was unnecessary to impose similar taxes on them back home. To address this issue, the government planned to introduce tax credits for Kenyans in the diaspora as part of a comprehensive tax system overhaul.
The President expressed his commitment to reforming the country’s taxation system, seeking input from the diaspora community on how to improve it. He emphasized that individuals who paid taxes in their respective work countries should not be subjected to double taxation for the same issues in Kenya. To simplify the process, he encouraged Kenyans abroad to file their tax returns and declare the taxes they had already paid. In return, the government would provide them with tax credits, ensuring they were not burdened with unnecessary taxes.
Additionally, the President assured the diaspora community that the government would work collaboratively with them to establish a fair taxation regime. Recognizing the contributions made by Kenyans living abroad, he emphasized the need to avoid causing them to pay taxes twice. He invited the diaspora community to share their suggestions and concerns regarding tax-related matters, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue. Furthermore, the President revealed the government’s aim to increase remittances from the diaspora, with a target of reaching USD 10 billion within the next five years, compared to the current figure of USD 3.3 billion as of April 2024.