KRA Suspends Nil-Filing as Ruto Defends Share Sales Amidst VAT Refund Crisis - January 2026

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has suspended nil-filing for tax returns, a move intended to convert non-filers and nil-filers into active taxpayers and broaden the tax base. In other economic news, President William Ruto has responded to criticisms over the planned partial sale of the government's shares in Safaricom and Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC). Meanwhile, Kenyan businesses are facing a crisis as delayed VAT refunds, amounting to billions of shillings, are jeopardizing industrial growth.