The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is looking to add at least 6,600 to its workforce over the next three years in a bid to deal with the problem of under-staffing, which has been identified as one of the reasons for revenue collection shortfalls.

KRA’s strategic plan for 2021 – 2024 disclosed that the taxman was looking to widen the tax net by bringing in an additional 2 million taxpayers, and collect Ksh6.83 trillion over the 2021/22 and 2023/2024 financial years. It is also keen on going after high net-worth individuals (HNWIs) alleged to be evading taxes.

By increasing its workforce to 14,555 from the current 7,955 employees, KRA hopes to achieve approved staffing levels and secure specialized skillsets enabling it to meet its targets.

“To effectively implement this corporate plan, recruitment of staff to optimal levels will paramount,” corporate guidelines laid out in the strategic plan read in part, adding: “The focus will be to bridge the staff gaps as well as address gaps in critical and highly specialised skills.”

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The National Assembly’s Finance and National Planning Committee had in January 2021 directed the National Treasury to provide funding for hiring 2,000 additional staff at KRA to bolster the taxman’s operations.

“The National Treasury should allocate additional funds under the Supplementary Estimates 1 to employ additional 2, 000 staff,” the committee noted in a report tabled before the house. It, however, failed to specify the amounts.

The report came against the backdrop of KRA advertising senior investigation positions in January.

Positions that were filled at the time included supervisor in-charge of investigations, manager investigations, assistant manager investigations, assistant manager operations, chief manager investigations, data analysis and reporting and assistant manager prosecution.

Notably, the KRA’s Intelligence and Strategic Operations unit will get 110 additional staff in the three years. The unit is responsible for uncovering tax evasion schemes, a key element of the strategic plan.

The KRA has identified segments with high potential for growing revenues, including online businesses, informal small-scale trade, real estate (landlords) and HNWIs.