Kalenjin Overrepresentation in June 2023 KRA RSA Recruitment Raises Concerns
The Committee on National Cohesion and Equal Opportunity in the National Assembly has become aware that a significant portion of the June 2023 recruitment for Revenue Service Assistants (RSAs) at the Kenya Revenue Authority was comprised of individuals from the Kalenjin community.
The committee received submissions from the KRA indicating that out of the 1,406 individuals recruited, 403 were from the Kalenjin community.
They were followed by Kikuyu (385), Luhya (134), Luo (76), Kenyan Somali (71), Kamba (64), and Meru (55).
Others were Kisii (43), Maasai (42), Embu (18), Borana (12), Teso (12), Mijikenda (11) and Turkana (11).
The report indicated that the RSAs were logged starting from June 17, 2023, and the process of onboarding for human resources was completed by June 23, 2023.
“The RSAs will undergo a two-month training on VAT, excise, and paramilitary,” the report stated.
The KRA stated that meeting the specified criteria for paramilitary training is essential to prevent casualties or the loss of life resulting from the intense nature of the training.
The report indicated that the job opening advertisement was concluded on May 23, 2023. It mentioned that the RSA received a total of 127,117 fully completed applications for the position.
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“Shortlisting was done and concluded on June 12, 2023,” it added.
Interested candidates applied for the position in the KRA e-recruitment portal.
Applicants needed to have achieved a minimum KCSE grade of D+ and be within the age range of 18 to 35 years.
The report stated that the responsibility of an RSA primarily involves on-site enforcement and gathering intelligence related to tax evasion, a function likened to law enforcement. This role requires the ability to quickly move and take action to prevent losses in revenue from both VAT and excise sources.
“This is similar to Italy Revenue Police with the only difference being that the RSA’s in Kenya will not be armed but have enforcement powers,” the report explained.
They will be responsible for intercepting and confirming tax receipts given out by traders/taxpayers, as well as examining registration certificates to identify violations of the VAT and Excise Duty Act.
They will also conduct validation of excise licenses displayed by taxpayers and premises licensing and issuance of seizure notices for impounded goods for excise.
Additionally, they will verify the excise licenses exhibited by taxpayers and establishment licenses, and issue notices for the confiscation of excise-related items.
Kalenjin Overrepresentation in June 2023 KRA RSA Recruitment Raises Concerns
