KRA Announces Scheduled System Interruption

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has notified taxpayers of a planned maintenance activity that will temporarily disrupt access to the iTax system.

In a notice released on Friday, December 5, the tax agency informed all stakeholders that there will be a scheduled maintenance of iTax lasting four hours over the weekend.

According to the notice, maintenance is scheduled to begin on Friday, December 5, 2025, at 8:00 PM and will conclude on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 12:00 AM.

During this four-hour window, the iTax system will be unavailable to all users, meaning taxpayers will not be able to access the platform for any transactions or services.

KRA expressed regret for any inconvenience the scheduled maintenance may cause to taxpayers and other stakeholders who rely on the platform for tax compliance and related services.

"Any inconvenience caused is highly regretted," the notice stated.

The maintenance comes as KRA continues to modernize its digital tax systems to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery to taxpayers nationwide.

Kenya has been making significant strides in digitizing its revenue collection and border management systems.

Recently, the country launched an entirely paperless customs platform designed to modernize border operations and simplify trade processes.

The eCUSTOMS app, which was launched on Monday, November 24, represents a major milestone in the collaboration between KRA, the British High Commission, and TradeMark Africa.

The digital platform was introduced at the Busia One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) on the Kenya-Uganda border and is designed to facilitate faster and more efficient customs declarations for traders, transporters, and passengers.

According to the British High Commission, the system is part of a 15-year partnership aimed at accelerating trade growth across Kenya's borders.

The eCUSTOMS app is expected to significantly reduce clearance times at borders, enhance transparency and compliance with regional customs laws, and provide user-friendly digital tools for small and medium enterprises and transporters.

The platform is also projected to deliver substantial time and cost savings, with estimates suggesting it will reduce cumulative truck waiting time by approximately 1,200 hours daily at the Busia OSBP, about one hour per truck.

For small traders, the app is expected to save approximately Ksh 750 per customs declaration, which can make a significant difference in their profit margins, particularly for those who cross the border multiple times daily.

The British High Commission described the initiative as a game-changer for Kenya and East Africa's trade facilitation efforts, positioning Kenya as a leader in modern, secure, and efficient border management.