Prominent lawyer Donald Kipkorir has called on the government to urgently reassess its current tax policy, warning that Kenya’s aggressive tax enforcement is driving businesses into collapse and pushing citizens to the edge of despair.
In a strongly worded statement, Kipkorir said the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) was acting insensitively by pursuing taxes from suppliers and contractors who have yet to receive payments from government ministries and agencies.
“The government has to have a rethink on its aggressive tax policy. KRA is a government department. The government owes nearly Ksh800 billion in pending bills to suppliers and service providers,” Kipkorir stated.
He noted that many affected suppliers had borrowed heavily to finance government contracts, only to be crippled by delayed payments that have left them bankrupt.
“Many of these suppliers borrowed loans to service the government contracts. Banks have foreclosed on their loans and sold their properties. And KRA is aggressively pursuing taxes when they ought to know the government has not paid the suppliers,” he lamented.
“Some people have committed suicide. Others have gone mad.”
His remarks came just a day after a middle-aged man tragically died after jumping from the second floor of KRA’s Lake Basin Mall offices in Kisumu on Thursday, October 30.
In a statement, KRA confirmed the incident, saying the man sustained serious injuries and later succumbed.
“Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) wishes to confirm that an unfortunate incident occurred today, Thursday, 30th October 2025, at the KRA offices located at the Lake Basin Mall in Kisumu. A middle-aged man jumped from the second floor of the building, sustained serious injuries, and succumbed,” the authority said.
KRA expressed deep regret over the tragedy and extended heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family and friends. The authority also confirmed that investigations have been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, pledging full cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
The tragic Kisumu case has revived public debate over the mounting economic pressure on Kenyans amid a harsh tax regime and rising cost of living.
Kipkorir’s statement adds to growing calls from civil society, business associations, and citizens urging the government to ease fiscal pressures and clear pending bills to stimulate economic recovery.
The Kisumu tragedy echoes a similar case in 2022, when a KRA employee fell to his death at Times Tower, Nairobi — another incident that sparked national debate about workplace stress and the human cost of economic hardship.
As investigations continue, Kenyans are demanding not only accountability but also compassionate leadership that balances revenue collection with the welfare of its people.
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