Nairobi, Kenya – June 19, 2025 — Kenya’s parliamentary finance committee has struck down a controversial proposal in the 2025 Finance Bill that would have granted the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) unrestricted access to taxpayer financial data. The decision has been welcomed by privacy advocates and some lawmakers who argued the move would have undermined constitutional protections.
The rejected clause sought to allow KRA direct and real-time access to personal and corporate financial records from banks and digital platforms—without the need for prior court approval. The government had pitched the measure as part of a broader strategy to enhance compliance and raise KES 30 billion in new revenue amid tightening fiscal conditions.
However, members of the finance committee argued that existing laws already empower KRA to access such data with judicial oversight, making the new proposal not only redundant but potentially dangerous to citizen rights.
“The principle of due process cannot be compromised in the name of revenue collection,” said one MP during the committee’s final reading. “While we support enhanced compliance, it must not come at the expense of Kenyans’ constitutional right to privacy.”
The move to block the clause comes amid growing public concern over surveillance, data breaches, and the expanding powers of government agencies. Civil society groups had warned that unchecked access to financial data could open the door to misuse, overreach, and targeting of political dissidents or small businesses.
In response to the rejection, Treasury officials noted that the government remains committed to raising the revenue target but will explore alternative methods of enforcement—including improved audits, inter-agency collaboration, and digital tax intelligence systems.
The 2025 Finance Bill, which is still under review in Parliament, includes a range of other fiscal measures aimed at closing the budget deficit, enhancing tax efficiency, and reducing reliance on debt.
As economic pressures mount, the government continues to walk a delicate line between boosting revenue and maintaining public trust—particularly in a year already marked by protests, high living costs, and scrutiny over government accountability.
