The move by the Interior Secretary Fred Matiang’i of listing the headquarters of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and its offices countrywide among the protected areas while keeping them out of bounds for persons, not on official duty, has caused an uproar among Kenyans.
In a gazette notice issued under the Protected Areas Order, persons found loitering in KRA premises without the permission of the Commissioner-General James Mburu will be arrested and prosecuted.
Unauthorized people in KRA premises have been accused of colluding with staff in abetting tax evasion and bribery.
Persons contravening the order face a maximum Sh5,000 fine or a jail term of up to two years or both on conviction under the Protected Areas Act. The penalty doubles to a maximum of Sh10,000 or a jail term of five years or both if the offenders are found to be in possession of arms, ammunition, explosives which they lawfully own.
“The areas, places or premises described in the schedule are declared to be protected areas for purposes of the Act and no person shall be in the specified areas without the permission of the prescribed authority or the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and Coordination of National Government,” Dr Matiang’i says in the notice.
Majority of Kenyans who have gone forth to criticize the move argue that it is criminalizing Kenyans seeking services from KRA.
Here are some of the reactions;
Why are we criminalizing things we shouldn’t? The worst oppression of a people is through unjust laws,moral content is essential in just laws.
— Paul Muite (@Paul_Muite) July 8, 2019
Because… pic.twitter.com/Tf8vNJXpMc
— Philosopher (@Philosopher254) July 8, 2019
Criminalizing citizens for seeking services at the Kra offices??.
— Mr. T 🇰🇪 🇰🇪 (@mellytitus) July 8, 2019
This is the problem of having a government without an opposition…this country needs mass prayer to salvage wanjikus.
— Jama Sheikh (@Jama_Azhari) July 8, 2019
This is criminalising customers visiting a customer centric organization,
— Kioko A (@Kioko5a) July 8, 2019
this is the expression that shows a lack of ideas, KRA office is a government office where citizens go to seek services. How about KRA officers loitering on our business premises. It doesn’t make sense. Re-think!
— P.K.,Yegonn. (@KingPyegonn) July 8, 2019
this is the expression that shows a lack of ideas, KRA office is a government office where citizens go to seek services. How about KRA officers loitering on our business premises. It doesn’t make sense. Re-think!
— P.K.,Yegonn. (@KingPyegonn) July 8, 2019