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KRA to validate income and expense from January 2026 tax returns

Bizna Team
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KRA to validate income and expense from January 2026 tax returns

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a significant shift in its tax compliance framework, confirming that it will begin validating income and expenses declared in tax returns effective January 1, 2026.

The new measure, which will apply to 2025 income year returns, seeks to enhance the accuracy, transparency, and integrity of tax declarations for both individual and corporate taxpayers.

“Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) wishes to inform taxpayers, stakeholders, and the public that effective 1st January 2026, it will begin validating income and expenses declared in both individual and non-individual income tax returns,” the Authority stated.

Multi-Source data validation

According to a public notice issued on November 7, 2025, the validation process will involve cross-referencing declared tax information against three primary data sources:

  • TIMS/eTIMS invoices

  • Withholding income tax records

  • Import data from customs systems

These checks will be automatically conducted through the iTax platform upon submission of the 2025 returns.

Salaried workers to use ID number for automatic KRA tax filing

KRA clarified that all declared income and expenses must be supported by valid electronic tax invoices that are duly transmitted and include the buyer’s PIN where applicable. This requirement is anchored in Section 23A of the Tax Procedures Act, Cap 469B, and the Tax Procedures (Electronic Tax Invoice) Regulations, 2024, with specific exemptions outlined under the law.

Early preparation encouraged

To ease the transition, KRA is urging taxpayers to request TIMS/eTIMS schedules of their current annual income and expenses from their respective account managers. This will enable them to reconcile their financial records with the data available to KRA ahead of the validation rollout.

The Authority also invited taxpayers and stakeholders to share feedback and suggestions to support a smooth implementation process. KRA emphasized that proactive engagement will help minimize filing rejections, discrepancies, and unnecessary assessments once the new system takes effect.

Compliance advisory

KRA further reminded taxpayers that it will not be responsible for payments not received, credited, or validated in the relevant KRA accounts. Taxpayers are therefore encouraged to ensure all submissions are accurate, timely, and verifiable before filing.

This new validation policy marks a key milestone in KRA’s ongoing digital transformation and modernization drive, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening compliance and promoting transparency within Kenya’s tax administration ecosystem.

Western Kenya counties waive business licences for NYOTA beneficiaries to empower youth entrepreneurs

Peninnnah M
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Western Kenya counties waive business licences for NYOTA beneficiaries to empower youth entrepreneurs

The Governments of Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, and Bungoma counties have jointly announced a two-year waiver of business licences for all beneficiaries of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project in the Western region. The decision is intended to ease the cost of doing business for the young entrepreneurs who are receiving a Ksh. 50,000 business grant to start and grow their enterprises. 12,155 Beneficiaries from the Western Cluster began receiving their first tranche of Ksh. 25,000 today totaling to Ksh.267 million.

The announcement was made during a fireside chat hosted by Hon. Susan Mangeni, Principal Secretary in the State Department for MSME Development. In attendance were Governor Wilberforce Otichillo of Vihiga, Governor Paul Otuoma of Busia, Governor Kenneth Lusaka of Bungoma, and Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula. The County leaders pledged additional county-level support for the NYOTA Project, including access to County Biashara Funds, allocation of county government stalls, and opportunities to benefit from county tenders under the AGPO framework.

Newly added channels on StarTimes Sh. 259 Nyota bouquet

Speaking during the fireside chat, President Dr. William Ruto reiterated that the project’s fully digital and transparent processes reflect the Government’s dedication to ensuring equal access to opportunity. The President further reaffirmed his commitment to completing the 100,000-kilometre digital superhighway and establishing digital hubs in every constituency, which will expand digital access and opportunities for young people across the country.

Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, praised the NYOTA initiative as a new wave of entrepreneurship that is reshaping Kenya’s economic landscape. He encouraged county governments to continue collaborating with the National Government to unlock the full potential of the country’s youth.

The event was also attended by the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi; the Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon. Salim Mvurya; principal secretaries, elected leaders, and project implementation partners.

State Department for MSMEs Development Communications: [email protected]

I sold my land to invest in matatu business; I’m now a caretaker

Jane Muia
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I sold my land to invest in matatu business; I’m now a caretaker

A Kenyan man has narrated some costly financial mistakes that reduced him from a landowner to a caretaker.

Duncan Mwanza, a 54-year-old father of three revealed he sold his ancestral land 30 years ago to invest in Matatu business which later collapsed leaving him with zero financial cushion.

As per his narration on Money254, Mwanza revealed that the 2-acre farm in Syokimau was an inheritance from his father. Then a jungle, Mwanza recalled how he had become a laughing stock in his village with friends questioning him what he would do with such a useless land.

He later bowed to the pressure and went ahead to sell the land for only Sh500,000, unaware of the potential it held.

“My older relatives pleaded, “Hold onto it, kijana (young man). Land always appreciates.” I saw Ksh500,000 in my hand versus a dream deferred, and I chose to sell the two acres to a man named Alfred Mbithi, a quiet guy who worked as an accountant in Machakos, for Ksh500,000. He saw potential where I saw a bush,” he recalled.

Mwanza used the funds to invest in Matatu business, an idea that seemed promising. He acquired a second-hand 14-seater matatu for Sh350,000 in 1996. At the time, 14-seater Matatu owners would make daily profits of Sh4,500 and this seemed lucrative to Mwanza who jumped into the business without a second thought.

However, the business was short-lived as he struggled with unfaithful workers and constant battles with police for traffic violations.

Ndindi Nyoro: Building houses, apartments is not a good investment

“My conductor, a cheeky fellow named ‘Kevo’ saw me as an ATM. Every day, it was a fight over the squad (daily collection), with him pocketing half the fares. I spent more time checking the math than running the business. Then there were the cops and their brothers, the Kanjos – always ready with a trumped-up traffic violation, demanding a kitu kidogo from my meagre profits,” he narrated.

Maintaining the matatu also became expensive and draining for Mwanza who later decided to quit the business.

“The gearbox collapsed, the differential gave up the ghost, and the engine was constantly overheating. I would fix one thing only for two more to break,” he added.

He moved to Mombasa where he started doing odd jobs to earn a living. In 2013, he decided to return home and was shocked by Syokimau’s transformation into a middle-class estate. Mwanza later learned that an acre in that area was then fetching about Sh12 million.

“My two acres were worth Sh24 million, 48 times more than the measly Sh500,000 I had accepted,” he said.

He also learned that the man who bought his old 2-acre jungle split it into eight plots where he built beautiful mansions for rent. Mwanza currently works as a gardener for his former customer. He advises young people to be patient and look beyond the liquid money.

“Today, I rake the leaves, I prune the flowers, and I can’t help but do the math. Today, one acre is valued at close to Sh36 million. My Sh500,000 has exploded into potentially Sh72 million—wealth I threw away because I was impatient for immediate cash flow,” he said.

“My young friends, especially those of you just starting out in life, don’t make my mistake. Don’t chase the small, immediate liquidity at the expense of big, long-term assets,” he advised.

How educated is Kalonzo Musyoka? See his life and education profile

Mwova Mwende
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How educated is Kalonzo Musyoka? See his life and education profile

How educated is Kalonzo Musyoka? Not too many people recognize that former vice president and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka is a certified senior counsel.

Perhaps this  is mostly due to his association with politics where it is often hard to tell the academic credentials politicians actually have. So here is a breakdown of Mr. Musyoka’s education profile:

Kalonzo Musyoka was born in Tseikuru, in a remote part of Mwingi District (then part of Kitui District) in Kenya’s Eastern Province. Between 1960 and 1967 he studied at Tseikuru Full Primary School to attain basic education.

How educated is Raila Odinga? See his education and life profile

Then he went to Kitui High School in Kitui for the ordinary level and eventually to Meru School in Meru from where he graduated in the advanced level in 1973.

Kalonzo Musyoka graduated with a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nairobi in 1977. He continued further studies at the Kenya School of Law in 1978 where he was awarded a Post graduate diploma in Law.

In 1979, he attended the Mediterranean Institute of Management in Cyprus where he earned a post graduate Diploma in Business.

In 2009, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity among other 17 beneficiaries at the Charter hall in Nairobi. This was one of the “honorary professorships and doctorate degrees” that were issued by Professor Clyde Rivers, the International Commissioner of the Latin University of Theology, based in Inglewood, California.

What is William Ruto’s education background? See his education profile

On 19 December 2008, Kalonzo Musyoka was honoured with a Doctorate in Humane Letters (honoris causa) in recognition of his achievements in peace making, conflict resolution efforts, sustainable community development and humanistic ideals by Kenyatta University during its 25th graduation. Named African Dignitary Man of the year 2016.

In July 2020, Kalonzo was among 24 advocates who former President Uhuru Kenyatta bestowed the rank of Senior Counsel.

Old, beat-up Kenya Police helicopter is now a disaster in waiting

Bethuel Kipsang
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Old, beat-up Kenya Police helicopter is now a disaster in waiting

The old, beat up Kenya Police helicopter 5Y-SFA is a death trap. That this helicopter is a disaster waiting to happen was openly displayed this week during a rescue mission in Elgeyo Marakwet County.

The Kenya Police helicopter 5Y-SFA was caught on video as it thudded heavily to the ground after a failed attempt to take off in Elgeyo Marakwet where it was attempting to airlift victims of the mudslide that occurred on the night of October 31, 2025 to the morning of November 1, 2025.

This was the latest in a series of mishaps that have been dogging the old chopper over the recent past. Videos circulating online show the chopper struggling to gain lift in various areas across the country, sometimes forcefully crash-landing back to the ground after lifting for a few metres.

For instance, three weeks before crash-landing in Elgeyo Marakwet, this helicopter had also crash-landed in Mulot, Bomet County.

The helicopter model Mi-17V-5 that is operated by the National Police Service (NPS) Air Wing was delivered by Russian Helicopters, which is a subsidiary of Rostec. The NPS Air Wing was certified as an Approve Aircraft Maintenance Organization (AMO) by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) in April 2025. This certification now allows the NPS to service and inspect its aircraft independently.

According to historian and researcher Levin Odhiambo Opiyo, this helicopter has been having operational issues for quite a while. On November 3, 2019, this helicopter crash landed after taking off at the Wilson Airport. At the time of the incident, it had two police officers on board; a chief inspector who was flying and a flight engineer. The two escaped unharmed.

A year before this incident, in 2018, the KCAA had written to the National Police Service to deregister its Russian-made helicopters over safety concerns. Seven years later, the Kenya Police helicopter 5Y-SFA is still struggling to stay airborne, amidst crash-landings that have left it as a disaster waiting to happen.

“Although Kenya Police has also acquired a modern helicopter, it has been diverted to ferrying VIPs,” commented Opiyo.

READ MORE: Kenya Police Sacco lost Sh200 million in Kuscco theft scandal

Police recruitment: IG Kanja announces changes as the exercise nears

Jane Muia
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Police recruitment: IG Kanja announces changes as the exercise nears

The National Police Service (NPS) has issued an update on the nationwide police recruitment exercise scheduled to take place on November 17.

In a notice signed by Inspector General Douglas Kanja, NPS said the exercise will proceed as planned at designated centres across the country. However, several adjustments have been made to the list of recruitment centres.

“The National Police Service wishes to bring to the attention of the public that the following additions and corrections have been made to the recruitment centres for police constables,” the notice read.

According to the IG, ex-National Youth Service (NYS) candidates can now present themselves either at their respective home sub-county recruitment centres or at the NYS Headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi, which was inadvertently omitted from the initial advertisement.

In Kajiado County, the Kajiado West Sub-County recruitment centre will now be at Ole Polos, while the Elangata Wuas Sub-County recruitment will take place at Elangata Wuas DCC’s Office.

In Narok County, the Narok West Sub-County recruitment centre has been moved to Ng’oswani Centre.

“All other information contained in the earlier advertisement remains unchanged,” the notice adds.

To ensure transparency and fairness, senior police officers and representatives from relevant government agencies will oversee the exercise.

NPS emphasised that the recruitment process will be free and open to all qualified Kenyans who meet the minimum entry requirements.

“The National Police Service recruitment drive is free and open to all eligible and qualified candidates. Engaging in bribery or any other form of corrupt practices with the intent to influence the recruitment process constitutes a criminal offence.

“Any person who willfully gives to the National Police Service any information which is false or misleading in any material particular, commits an offence and will be prosecuted,” the statement read.

READ MORE: NPS announces dates for nationwide recruitment of police constables

Tesla shareholders approve massive Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay package

James Oundo
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Tesla shareholders approve massive Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay package

Tesla shareholders have approved a record-breaking $1 trillion pay package for the company’s boss Elon Musk. The Elon Musk $1 trillion pay package was approved by 75 percent of the votes cast by shareholders during the company’s annual general meeting that was held on Thursday November 6, 2025.

The vote was conducted with a catch that would have seen Musk exit the Tesla CEO position if the pay package had been rejected.

Musk is already ranked as the world’s richest man by Forbes, with a net worth estimate of $491.4 billion as at Thursday November 6, 2025.

Musk does not take a salary from Tesla. As such, the approved pay package will be in form of shares. Apparently, the Tesla boss will receive up to 423.7 million additional Tesla shares over the next ten years based on certain milestones.

One of these milestones will be to push Tesla’s market valuation from $1.4 trillion as at the time of the resolution to $8.5 million, at which point the shares grant will be worth an estimated $1 trillion.

In addition to this, Tesla will be required to achieve certain financial and operational targets for Musk to access the whole grant, which will be distributed in twelve equal blocks. One of these targets will be to get one million self-driving Robotaxi vehicles into commercial operation.

Market statistics show that for the company to hit $8.5 trillion in valuation, Tesla shares will need to jump by 466 percent from the price of $4445.91 on Nasdaq as at November 6, 2025.

This will be 70 percent higher than the $5 trillion market valuation that was recently achieved by Nvidia, which is currently the most valuable company in the world.

The pay package came as Tesla prepares to diversify from making and selling electric vehicles to making and selling self-driving vehicles which include a fleet dubbed as Robotaxi, as well as humanoid robots.

READ MORE: Nvidia becomes world’s first company to hit $5 trillion in market valuation

NSE crosses Sh3 trillion milestone for the first time in history

James Oundo
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NSE crosses Sh3 trillion milestone for the first time in history

The Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) has crossed the Sh3 trillion milestone in market capitalization for the first time in history.

Market data from the NSE shows that the local bourse made this achievement on Thursday November 6, 2025 when it by Sh52.52 billion from Sh2.991 trillion to end the day’s session at Sh3.044 trillion.

This milestone was achieved in a day in which 35,407,884 shares were traded. At the same time, the NSE 20-Share Index gained by 38.28 to hit 3,221.23 points.

These gains have come riding on the back of a bullish market that has recorded gains by all major stocks. For instance, on the day the market surpassed the Sh3 trillion market, leading telecommunications firm Safaricom announced a Sh42.8 billion net profit for the first six months of its current 2026 financial year.

This profit represented a gain of 52.1 percent from from the Sh28.1 billion net profit that the company had recorded in the same period the previous year. During the day’s trading at the NSE, Safaricom touched a high of Sh31 per share, and ended the session at an average of Sh30.30 per share.

Over the past one trading year, Safaricom has risen from a low of Sh14.10 per share to the current high of Sh31 per share.

On the same day, Equity Group touched an all-time high of Sh71 per share during the day’s intra-trading session. This counter settled at an average of Sh69.75 per share. Over the past one year, it has touched a high of Sh71 and a low of Sh41.20.

At the same time, KCB Group touched a high of Sh69.50 per share and settled at an average of Sh69 per share. This was a gain of 9 percent from the previous day’s trading price of Sh63.25 per share. Over the past one year, this counter has touched a low of Sh35 and a high of Sh69.50 and looks set to cross the Sh70 per share mark.

The Kenyan stock market has been on a bullish run since 2024. This bullish run has been more manifested in the year 2025 as investors chase higher rewards from investing in shares following a dip in returns from fixed income assets such as treasury bonds and treasury bills.

Mbadi: Shilling to USD rate should be 118 but we are artificially keeping it at 129

Safaricom records 52.1% jump in Group Net Income in Half-Year ended September 2025

Bizna Team
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Safaricom records 52.1% jump in Group Net Income in Half-Year ended September 2025

Safaricom (NSE: SCOM) has announced a 52.1% growth in group net income to KSh 42.8 billion for the six months to 30th September 2025, demonstrating resilience and growth across its Kenya and Ethiopia operations.

In its Kenya operations, the company recorded a 22.6% growth in Net income to KSh 58.2billion, a 9.3% jump in service revenue to KSh 194.0billion, and 13.1% growth in EBIT to KSh 89.5billion.

In Ethiopia, losses reduced by 20.1% year-on-year to KSh (15.5 billion), even as pricing and currency reform challenges persisted.

“This is a strong set of results, and a solid start to our Vision 2030 strategy cycle, maintaining our FY26 guidance. We remain focused on executing our strategy through segment-led execution and integrated solutions,” said Peter Ndegwa, Group CEO, Safaricom.

Safaricom’s half-year 2026 net profit jumps 52.1 percent to Sh42.8 billion

In addition to the strong set of results, the company continued to invest heavily in communities. Safaricom recently launched the Citizens of the Future program, an initiative set to benefit 500 schools with infrastructure upgrades, 10,000 scholarships, and over 56,000 beneficiaries of digital literacy over the next five years.

“It has been 25 years of transforming lives, through innovation and community empowerment, a journey powered by purpose and collaboration. We have transformed the lives of over 22 million Kenyans through the Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations.  We remain anchored in purpose, driving sustainable growth and positive change,” Ndegwa said.

Further, the company launched Safaricom Ethiopia Foundation in July this year, investing over ETB 650million in community projects under education, youth, and economic empowerment, a demonstration of the company’s commitment to purpose before profit.

Safaricom records 52.1% jump in Group Net Income in Half-Year ended September 2025
From left: Dilip Pal, Chief Financial Officer, Safaricom PLC; Peter Ndegwa, Group Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom PLC; and Wim Vanhelleputte, Chief Executive Officer, Safaricom Ethiopia, during the announcement of the Half-Year Results for the period ended September 2025 at the Michael Joseph Centre in Nairobi.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

  1. SAFARICOM KENYA

  • Service revenue, +9.3%YoY to KES 194billion
  • Connectivity revenue (Mobile data, Voice, Messaging, Mobile Incoming & Other Service Revenue), +5.3% YoY to KES 96.2 billion
  • M-PESA revenue, +14% YoY to KES 88.1 billion
  • Fixed Service & IoT revenue, +9.5% to KES9.8 billion
  • EBIT, +13.1% YoY to KES 89.5billion
  • Net income, +22.6% YoY to KES 58.2billion
  • CAPEX, +11% YoY to KES 34.2billion

2. SAFARICOM ETHIOPIA

  • Service revenue, +136%YoY to KES 6.2 billion
  • Voice revenue, +328.5% YoY to KES 1.4 billion
  • MPESA revenue, -45.6% YoY 8.7million
  • Mobile data revenue, +102.2%YoY to KES 4.1 billion
  • Fixed service, +400.0% to KES 93 million
  • EBIT, +34.4% YoY to KES (24.3billion)
  • Net income, +20.1% YoY to KES (15.5billion)
  • CAPEX, -66% YoY to KES 9.5billion
  • Customers +83.7% to 11.1 million

3. SAFARICOM GROUP

  • Service revenue, +11.1%YoY to KES199.9billion
  • EBITDA, +34.9% Kshs101.3 billion
  • EBIT, +54.5% YoY to KES65.2billion
  • Net income, +52.1% YoY to KES42.8billion
  • CAPEX, -25.6% to Ksh 43.7billion

4. IMPACT ON COMMUNITY – SAFARICOM KENYA

  • 22million lives impacted over the last 25 year
  • KES 43 billion investment in community projects in Education, Health, Economic Empowerment and Environmental Conservation & Livelihoods

5. SAFARICOM ETHIOPIA

  • Launched Safaricom Ethiopia Foundation on 1st July 2025
  • Invested over ETB6500million towards community projects
  • Donations to 76 schools, impacting 84,000 people
  • 2,224 women and farmers benefitted from economic empowerment programs

Jiji Kenya launches 2025 black friday campaign — “Deals Like Water” offers up to 85% discounts

Peninnnah M
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0
Jiji Kenya launches 2025 black friday campaign — “Deals Like Water” offers up to 85% discounts

Kenya’s leading online marketplace, Jiji, has launched its 2025 Black Friday campaign with the theme “Deals Like Water”. The campaign offers discounts of up to 85% off across thousands of listings this November.

The “Deals Like Water” campaign promises unmatched savings for buyers and massive visibility for sellers. This is making it one of the biggest digital shopping events of the year. From Phones & Tablets to Fashion, Electronics, Home, Furniture & Appliances, Kenyans can shop verified deals, compare prices, and buy conveniently, all from  Jiji.

Commenting on the campaign launch, Maureen Naliaka, PR & Marketing Manager at Jiji Kenya, said:

“Black Friday is always a special time for shoppers. And this year, we’re taking it to another level. ‘Deals Like Water’ represents abundance. Real deals everywhere you look. Buyers can enjoy genuine discounts from verified sellers, and sellers can reach millions of ready-to-buy customers. It’s a win for everyone.” Maureen Naliaka, PR & Marketing Manager at Jiji Kenya.

Jiji secures double victory at prestigious awards

Jiji designed the campaign to benefit both sides of the marketplace. Sellers offering 15% discounts or more automatically feature on Jiji’s official Black Friday landing page. This would give them access to millions of potential buyers. Meanwhile, buyers can explore verified listings with up to 85% off, safe transactions, and the convenience of chatting directly with sellers.

With over 22 million internet users and 68.8 million mobile connections in Kenya, online shopping continues to surge. Jiji’s “Deals Like Water” campaign taps into this growing trend, offering trusted deals and the ease of mobile-first shopping that fits everyday life.

“We believe everyone deserves a good deal. That’s why we’ve made it easy and safe for every Kenyan to shop from wherever they are. Upgrade your phone, furnish your home, or find something special at the best price possible.” Maureen Naliaka, PR & Marketing Manager at Jiji Kenya

Jiji is running the Black Friday 2025 campaign throughout November. The platform invites shoppers to explore mouthwatering deals on the Jiji Black Friday page and enjoy Kenya’s biggest savings month.

 

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