KRA beats betting tax target, collects Ksh.13.2 billion

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a significant growth in excise duty on betting services, with a record Ksh.13.233 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, above its set target of Ksh.11.288 billion.

This represents a 117.2% performance rate, up from Ksh.10.598 billion collected in the previous financial year.

In its annual report, the authority revealed that betting tax had surpassed its target, with Ksh.5.70 billion collected against a projection of Ksh.5.495 billion, which reflects a 103.7% performance rate and a 22.0% growth compared to the previous period.

Commissioner for Large and Medium Taxpayers, Rispah Simiyu, in a statement, attributed the strong performance to the authority’s taxation at source initiatives, notably the integration of betting firms’ systems with KRA’s infrastructure.

“The integration has enabled real-time monitoring of transactions. This has enhanced compliance and transparency and facilitated effective collection,” Simiyu said.

Simiyu cited the 2025 Economic Survey, which indicates that Kenya’s economy grew by 4.7% in 2024, down from 5.7% in 2023, saying that the revenue boost comes amid tough economic conditions.

Despite the headwinds, she noted KRA’s total revenue collection for the year standing at Ksh.2.571 trillion (representing a 6.8% growth), expressing the taxman’s commitment to expand the tax base.

“KRA’s total revenue collection for the FY 2024/2025 stood at Ksh.2.571 trillion, reflecting a 6.8% growth, demonstrating resilience and the importance of strategic targeting in mobilising revenue from emerging sectors,” Simiyu noted.

“KRA reiterates its commitment to expanding the tax base through taxation at source initiatives to promote fairness, efficiency and transparency in tax administration.”