Editor's Review

“The National Assembly Finance committee holds the key to alleviating the national shame that is the KRA searches at JKIA." 

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has weighed in on the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) searches at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

In a statement via X on Tuesday, October 31, Cheruiyot said the searches are a national shame and tasked the National Assembly Finance Committee to intervene.

The Kericho Senator said the committee should offer the clarity needed to distinguish personal items and goods for commercial ventures.

“The National Assembly Finance committee holds the key to alleviating the national shame that is the KRA searches at JKIA. By providing the necessary clarity needed to distinguish goods for commercial venture and personal items,” said Cheruiyot.

This comes after KRA pulled down a post on X after it generated a massive uproar from Kenyans on social media.

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File image of KRA headquarters at Times Tower.

In the post, the taxman had indicated that Kenyans were subjected to mandatory taxation on new or used goods.

"All goods whether new or used, are subject to taxation. However different passenger categories have different concessions and entitlements," KRA stated.

The authority also warned travelers from carrying goods worth above Ksh 75000 noting that any items above the amount will be subjected to tax.

"Remember when traveling, you will be allowed to carry personal or household items worth USD500 (Sh75,000) and below. Anything above the amount shall be subjected to tax,” the deleted post stated.