Episode 62: Tax Justice in Kenya
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Episode 62: Tax Justice in Kenya
This week, we explore tax justice, which looks at the intersection between taxation, inequality and human rights. Why do we pay taxes? We have a social contract with the state. We give up some freedoms to it, and in return we receive security, healthcare, education, infrastructure and other services that enable us to become a functional and prosperous society. To invest in these social programs and in public property, which enables our goal, the government needs steady/sustainable financing from taxes. Taxes are also used to re-distribute money that is concentrated in the upper classes to the middle and lower classes. They help us run an effective government, which is why it matters how much money is collected, how it is collected, and how it is used.
Do taxes perform their functions in Kenya? What exactly is tax justice, and why is the conversation around it important in Kenya today? Is Kenya’s tax regime going to pull us out of poverty or keep us there? Why is it that Kenya can’t raise enough revenue from taxation? How can we go about stopping tax dodging to ensure we’re not robbing the poor? Should we have a tax strike? We’re joined by Joy Ndubai, a tax justice advocate, to answer all these questions. Press play!
Resources
Amazon is running its own hunger games – and all the players will be losers
Amazon warehouse workers skip bathroom breaks to keep their jobs, says report
Accidents at Amazon: workers left to suffer after warehouse injuries
Why don’t The 20 Cities on Amazon’s Hq2 Shortlist Collectively Bargain Instead Of Collectively Beg?
Illicit Financial Flows: Report of the High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa
Secrecy in oil deals breeds suspicion
Luxembourg Leaks: Global Companies’ Secrets Exposed
The Panama Papers: Exposing the Rogue Offshore Finance Industry
OECD: Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)
Kenyans owe Sh100,000 each in public debt
Kenya Budget Statement: FY 2018/19
KENYA BUDGET 2018: Did CS Rotich just turn Kenya into a tax haven?
Nairobi Tax Haven A Step Closer: Negative ramifications foreseen with enactment of NIFC Bill
Is Kenya being shaped into Africa’s flagship tax haven?
Anti-Money Laundering: International Law and Standards
A maize farmer shed tears as he asks Ruto why he is silent on maize scandal
How Zambia is losing $3 billion a year from corporate tax dodging
Mining firm under fire over tax payments in Zambia
Shifting profits across borders: Transfer pricing is the biggest tax avoidance scheme of all.
How Karuturi got away with denying Kenya millions of shillings in taxes
Karuturi guilty of tax evasion
KRA opens new battlefront with multinationals
Over 3,000 jobs at risk as Karuturi flower farm to be sold
Kenyan flower industry’s taxing question
CfC accuses Karuturi directors of fleeing the country over debt
6 thoughts on “Episode 62: Tax Justice in Kenya”
Hi Brenda,
Thanks for having Joy on the show. I’ll admit I am one of those people who hears the word taxes and my eyes glaze over, so I will definitely need to give this episode another listen to really digest everything. That said I thought you and your stellar guest Joy did a great job concretizing these often abstract ideas, with lots of relatable examples. When we got to the part about tax evasion, the first thing that came to mind was Nakumatt. A quick Google search to jog my memory shows that even as far back as 2006, Parliament had called out Nakumatt for using Charterhouse Bank to avoid paying taxes by reporting smaller profits and even losses, when they were moving more stock than Uchumi. The fact that as of June 2018, they still owed 1.5 Billion in taxes really boggles the mind.
When I think of justice and equity, I don’t often think of taxes. Thanks for the great information and looking forward to reading some of the references for a deeper dive.
Hey Noni! Thank you for listening, and I am happy you found the episode enlightening.
The Nakumatt case is also very relevant, and it is even closer to us because we have seen what their bad business practices have done to their staff, suppliers and even we as consumers. We really suffer when legal persons engage in aggressive tax practices. Do share the episode with your friends/networks, more of us need to think about justice and rights when we think about taxes. You are most welcome, and I hope you enjoy reading the references! 
Hi Brenda.
I can’t believe I’m noticing this at episode 62! I’ve missed soo much. But hopefully will catch up.
This is an excellent job you are doing. It is much appreciated.
Felix
Thank you Felix! I’m glad you found us, and I hope you enjoy the show! Tell your friends as well!
Hi Brenda,
Unfortunately I am also just discovering the podcast. I have been searching for such discussions and knowledged experts sharing “the real story” with the masses. Looking forward to digging into the past episodes.
Kudos
Thank you Gideon! I’m happy you discovered it, enjoy our archive and stay tuned for more episodes!