NAIROBI,Kenya-In a major shift in Kenya’s digital tax landscape, nearly 12 million Kenyans have filed nil income tax returns via the government’s eCitizen portal, surpassing the 2 million who chose the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)’s iTax platform, according to new data released by the tax agency.
This marked shift in taxpayer behavior in what KRA says reflects growing confidence in Kenya’s revamped digital service offerings, especially as eCitizen becomes increasingly popular for a wider range of tax-related functions.
Earlier this year, the taxman introduced the option to file nil returns through eCitizen, aiming to ease pressure on the iTax platform, which has been criticized for its clunky interface, frequent login issues, and cumbersome multi-step verification process.
Convenience Drives the Shift
“eCitizen has significantly reduced the friction,” said Patience Njau, KRA’s Deputy Commissioner for Taxpayer Services.
“With just your national ID and a one-time password, you can file your nil returns in a matter of minutes. This is far more convenient compared to the complex verification steps required on iTax.”
Njau added that the introduction of eCitizen for filing nil returns has already had a positive effect on compliance rates, which the KRA hopes will surpass last year’s filing compliance of 83 percent.
The move also aligns with KRA’s broader strategy to simplify tax filing processes, particularly for individuals and small businesses. Besides nil returns, eCitizen now allows users to generate compliance certificates, view tax statements, and make select income and VAT payments.
This makes the platform a one-stop shop for a growing number of tax-related services, particularly for micro and small enterprises.
Shifting Priorities and Concerns
Despite its popularity, the rising reliance on eCitizen has raised some concerns over data privacy and governance.
The portal, which now hosts more than 5,000 government services, is run by a private contractor and collects vast amounts of personal information.
The Auditor General has repeatedly flagged the platform for insufficient state oversight, especially considering its sensitive role in handling taxpayer data.
KRA has sought to address these concerns, emphasizing that all services offered on eCitizen remain free of charge.
