Entertainment
Kenyans React After KRA Says It’s Coming For Online Wealth Flaunters
The Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) announcement that it would monitor online users’ social media accounts to identify people that it would investigate for tax compliance, has drawn reactions.
The agency said it would scour Facebook and Instagram profiles for tax defaulters. Those targeted are social media users posting videos and pictures exhibiting the verve and drip in their “covetable” lives.
KRA Commissioner-General Githinji Mburu said pictures of luxurious cars, expensive parties, designer attire and princely vacations would catch the taxman’s attention.
On Facebook and Twitter, Kenyans took to the comments section on Monday to react to KRA’s announcement, which was posted on The Standard’s pages.
Twitter user Oscar Mutinda said: “KRA should look for something better to do. For example, educate the public about taxation and policies.”
Ochieng Mike (@OchiengMike) said: “When a whole government agency with the responsibility to assess, collect and account for all revenues due to the government resorts to trolling social media for tax defaulters, then you know Kenya is a serious joke.”
Another user, Jakawino (@tomarody), joked: “Let them employ us to get them the screenshots per square inch faster than they can ever process. We will also bring them receipts from politicians’ rich kids so that they (rich children) reconcile their tax filings too.”
Facebook user Tom Gwoma termed the move by KRA as “outrageous and against the law”.
Carilus Oloo observed that “tax cheats will remove [old pictures and videos], and stop posting things which can be used against them”.
Another user, Raymond Alimahadu, said: “This is not the way to capture more people in the tax bracket. They should employ other means to do so. For example, do countrywide surveys, gather hypothesis and sensitise people on the need to be in the bracket.”
In an interview with the Business Daily on Monday, November 8, Mburu said tax cheats risk travel bans and collection of duty directly from their suppliers and bankers.
The taxman had, in January 2021, notified social media influencers that they will be liable to pay Digital Service Tax (DST) since their income is accrued from the provision of services in the digital marketplace.
KRA noted that DST has been effective since January 1, 2020, and all influencers must adhere to the set guidelines.
Barely two years after Tanasha Donna and Bey T stormed the internet to fight over a catchphrase, Tanasha has finally given details on her beef with the rapper for the first time.
According to the musician, the misunderstanding came after they both disagreed on an issue.
In an interview with KISS FM, the musician cum entrepreneur said Bey T was young and was misled by people into instigating petty quarrels.
“Honestly speaking I think it was just a misunderstanding, it started over a quote, the ‘Kenya to the world’ thing. And I like she was young at the time and like people tried instigating drama. You know how people can be… people can easily corrupt one’s mind, especially when there is nothing going on,” she said.
According to Tanasha, it is easy to have the feeling that people are out to kill your shine when starting, especially as a young girl in a competitive industry.
“Talking from experience as a young girl you can feel easily like people are out to get you or steal your shine…but I feel like she’s a great artist so she was trying to spit some bars which she is amazing at and I’ll give her credit for that,” she added.
The mother of one confirmed that they have a good relationship following their beef and now are both open to the idea of collaborating with Bey T even though the two have never met yet.
“Why not? I mean I like her music and she’s amazing. Plus, right now, we’re at a good place, we haven’t really met but we have people in common whom we work with,” she said.
Amid their banter, Bey T went ahead to drop a diss track called ‘Don to the Donna’ attacking Tanasha for allegedly sampling her music in 2019.
“Someone tell Tanasha to stop wave riding,” Bey T wrote on Instagram at the time.
According to the rapper, the phrase “Kenya to the World” originated from her, but Tanasha stole it.
Oscar award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o made the educational dreams and ambitions of 40 students come alive by offering them $10,000 (GH₵ 75,546.42) in scholarships.
The Hollywood actress delivered a wonderful surprise at the 13th convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Official details from NAACP indicate that the young students received the scholarships during the ACT-SO award ceremony in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
ACT-SO is a year-long program targeted at high school students to promote their growth in disciplines from visual arts, business, and performing and culinary arts.
NAACP partners with Lancôme to offer the Write Her Future Scholarship Fund, which focuses on empowering women through literacy, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.
Lupita, who is the Lancôme Ambassadress, indicated that she always had big dreams from childhood and education played a huge part in helping her realize them.
“I believe that learners change the world. I am so thrilled to join Lancôme, on behalf of their Write Her Future Scholarship Fund, to award this incredible group of women with these game-changing scholarships,” she said.
Popular Kenyan website, Tuko.co.ke, reported that two years ago, Lupita Nyong’o was nominated for four awards in the 51st edition of the NAACP Image Awards.
The actress, who did not manage to attend the award ceremony, emerged as a winner in two of the four categories she was nominated.
Lupita won the Best Actress award for her role in Jordan Peele’s movie and her second award was for Outstanding Literary Work Children for her book Sulwe.
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