KRA Answers Your 6 Questions On Revenue Service Assistants

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on Wednesday, September 27 responded to concerns raised by Kenyans regarding the mandate of more than 1,400 employees dressed in uniform dubbed the Revenue Service Assistants (RSA).

1,405 staff on Friday, August 25 graduated after they received two months of training in collaboration with the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

The staff underwent rigorous training at Recruits Training College in Eldoret and were qualified to aid the authority in enhancing its mandate regarding tax collection.

"The Field Officers are part of KRA's reforms initiative aimed at enhancing productivity and culture, in order to deliver quality and friendlier services to taxpayers. The Field Officers have been equipped with knowledge and skills to handle tax-related processes through a capacity-building program comprising KRA core values and tax modules," stated KRA on Monday, September 25.

A KRA Revenue Service Assistant (RSA) attending to a businesswoman in Nairobi on September 27, 2023. /X

The RSA officers were deployed at Tax Service Offices across the country and will support taxpayers in updating correct details on their iTax profiles, registration of trading businesses that are not registered with KRA, including addition of applicable obligation, verification of details such as location, contact information and support taxpayers to comply with other tax regulations.

However, Kenyans raised concerns regarding the true purpose of the RSAs, with some businessmen claiming that the officers queried them regarding their county government licences, turnover, rent, landlord/landlady if they had any other businesses among others.

KRA now answers six of your questions regarding the RSAs as follows:

1. Briefly tell us about RSAs and their role.

Revenue Service Assistants (RSAs) are the recently recruited KRA field officers domiciled in the Domestic Taxes Department. They are located and operate across Tax Service Offices (TSOs). 

Their main role involves field visits to monitor compliance and facilitate tax base expansion initiatives, helping KRA to achieve its overall objective of collecting revenue on behalf of the government. 

2. Have they undergone any training?

Yes, the RSAs have been taken through a training program comprising technical tax modules on Value Added Tax, Customs and KRA business systems; and security training. 

3. How was the training facilitated?

The training was spearheaded by the Kenya School of Revenue Administration (KESRA) and delivered in partnership with the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF). KESRA handled all tax, customs and KRA-related training which comprised 80% of all training, and KDF supported the process through the discipline module. 

4. What was the objective of the discipline module?

Due to the complexity and the challenges associated with the RSA's role in dealing with diverse taxpayers and a myriad of taxation issues, the training was to inculcate discipline, and patriotism and help trainees achieve physical fitness for the demanding revenue field job. 

5. Is this the first time KRA is collaborating with KDF to train its staff?

No. KRA has implemented various training programs in collaboration with KDF. This has been for our senior staff, middle-level staff and entry-level staff. Besides KDF, KESRA offers training in partnership with many other partners including local universities and international partners. 

6. With the dynamic taxation landscape, is there a sustainable capacity-building plan for RSAs?

Yes. Training for the RSAs is continuing within an elaborate refresher training program between KESRA and other partners besides KDF.