Kenya’s taxman deploys body cameras to fight tax evasion
On Techpoint Digest, we discuss KRA deploying body cameras to fight tax evasion, women building products and teams at Redtech, and Nigeria considering age limits for social media use.
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Slav,<br />
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Victoria from Techpoint here,<br />
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Here’s what I’ve got for you today:<br />
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Women building products and teams at Redtech<br />
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Nigeria considers age limits for social media use<br />
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KRA deploys body cameras to fight tax evasion<br />
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KRA deploys body cameras to fight tax evasion<br />
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Kenya Revenue Authority<br />
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Kenya’s tax authority is turning to body cameras in its latest attempt to tackle bribery and tax evasion.<br />
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The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has begun deploying 350 body-worn cameras for officers, particularly those working in customs and border control. The rollout started at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and is expected to expand across enforcement teams that interact directly with taxpayers and cargo handlers.<br />
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The idea is simple: record everything. The bodycams will capture interactions between tax officers and the public in real time, creating video evidence that can help deter bribery, reduce disputes, and expose collusion between staff and tax evaders. Officials say the technology should improve transparency and strengthen enforcement in areas where corruption has historically undermined tax collection.<br />
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The move comes amid growing scrutiny of corruption within the agency. KRA has been carrying out lifestyle audits and internal investigations in recent years, recovering about KSh 549 million in unexplained wealth and dismissing dozens of staff over graft-related offences. Authorities say some officers had been helping businesses under-declare goods or manipulate tax records to dodge duties.<br />
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Beyond bodycams, the tax agency is also leaning heavily on technology to plug revenue leaks. These include linking tax systems with banks and mobile money platforms such as M-Pesa, deploying electronic tax registers, and installing cameras at excisable goods factories. The broader goal is to improve compliance and raise government revenue without introducing politically sensitive new taxes. <br />
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Women building products and teams at Redtech<br />
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Bukola Alawiye and Busola Oluwatobi of Redtech...
