Since its inception, Strathmore University Tax Club has participated in various events, as hosts and as invited guests, aimed at improving tax knowledge of both the staff and the students, facilitating the establishment of an efficient tax system. A system which in the long run will better assist the government in the collection of tax revenues.

 

On 17^th October 2016, a team from the University Tax club, attended the 1^st University Tax Conference, part of the Annual Tax Summit, which was held at KICC Nairobi. The event’s theme was ‘Kenyan Solutions to Kenya’s Challenges: Taxation as a Catalyst for Economic Development.’ Issues discussed were Tax Administration, Tax Base Enhancement and Tax Culture. These were in form of research papers that were presented by contestants from the various learning institutions and organizations. In addition, there was a Tax Innovation contest where participants came up with software applications.

 

Our club was represented in both competitions; John Waweru presented a paper on Tax Administration entitled, Challenges Facing Turnover Tax Implementation in Nairobi County; Judah Ng’ang’a’ presented a paper on Tax Administration with the title, Empirical Analysis on the Productivity of the Kenyan Tax System; Melvin Mulanda, Victor Otieno and Santa Wangechi all 2^nd year Bachelor of Commerce students, presented a paper on Tax Culture entitled Loopholes and Negative Psychologies as Impediments to Tax Collection in Kenya; and finally, Antony Miyoro, a first year Diploma in Business Information and Technology student developed iTaxmobi,  a user friendly app to aid in filing of tax returns using a smartphone.  

 

Under the various sub-themes, John Waweru’s and Melvin Mulanda’s research papers emerged best, and the duo was appreciated and acknowledged by the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), John Njiraini. These papers will be published by KRA. The students remain grateful to Moses Nyangu, School of Management and Commerce Lecturer, for his supervisory role and guidance towards writing their papers.

 

In conclusion, we believe that the Tax club in Strathmore in conjunction with KRA, has a bright future and will go a long way in developing young minds and eventually the country as a whole in terms of sustainable economic development.  

 

                                                           

Article by: Martin Muhuri K, BCom Student