Kaparo tells Kenyans to blame MPs, not KRA, over taxes ahead of 2027

Former National Assembly Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo has advised Kenyans who are dissatisfied with their tax bills to direct their frustration towards government officials and their representatives in Parliament rather than blaming revenue officers. Speaking to a MediaMax reporter in Nanyuki on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Kaparo clarified that KRA does not create tax laws; it is responsible for enforcing legislation that has been passed by Parliament.

He stated that tax measures are proposed by the Executive, while Parliament reviews and approves them. Kaparo urged Kenyans to hold the government and their MPs accountable for tax-related issues. "If you are unhappy with the tax you are being charged, blame the government and blame your MP. Don’t blame the workers of government departments who are implementing their mandate," he emphasized.

This shift in focus from tax collection to the political responsibility of the institutions that propose and approve taxation measures highlights Kaparo's central argument. Kaparo also questioned whether Parliament adequately represents the interests of Kenyans, alleging that lawmakers tend to align more closely with the Executive.

He called upon MPs to scrutinize government proposals during the legislative process and reject measures that do not align with the public's interests. "Parliament must be the voice of the people, because that is why they elected them. That’s why Parliament exists in the first place," Kaparo asserted. His remarks, made less than a year before Kenya’s 2027 General Election, add an electoral dimension to the debate over taxation and the role of elected representatives.

However, Kaparo did not explicitly state that voters would punish MPs over taxation issues. He also cautioned Kenyans against assuming that small handouts from politicians are adequate compensation for a five-year term in office.