Kenyans are still reeling from the shocking story of a man who reportedly took his own life after being slapped with a staggering KSh 300 million tax bill by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
His death sparked outrage across the country, opening a floodgate of painful testimonies from ordinary citizens who say they have suffered under the weight of an increasingly ruthless tax system.
Just as public anger began to boil, news broke that KRA’s official X (formerly Twitter) account had been hacked and taken over. The timing couldn’t be more suspicious.
For many Kenyans, this so-called hack feels like a convenient distraction. One day, the nation is mourning a man who lost hope after being cornered by a government agency. The next day, the very same agency claims its social media has been compromised. Suddenly, the public conversation shifts from injustice and accountability to digital security and social media mishaps.
But the truth cannot be hidden behind a “hack.” The pain, fear, and frustration of Kenyans dealing with KRA’s heavy hand are real and deep.
The late taxpayer’s story is not an isolated one. Across the country, small business owners, hustlers, and employees are living in fear of abrupt tax demands and threats. Many say KRA officials act with arrogance and intimidation, chasing impossible targets without considering the real struggles of ordinary people.
It’s a system that has turned taxation into terror, where compliance feels less like civic duty and more like survival. Instead of supporting economic growth, KRA’s methods often crush the very people trying to build it.
When an institution loses touch with humanity, it stops serving the people and starts ruling them. And when its own actions drive citizens to despair, that institution owes the nation accountability not excuses, not diversions. Kenyans deserve answers about why such extreme measures are being used against citizens who are already battling inflation, job losses, and economic strain.
They deserve to know who benefits from a system that punishes honesty and rewards power.
The supposed hacking of KRA’s X account may dominate headlines for a few days, but the deeper issue remains untouched the human cost of greed and unaccountable power. The death of one man is not just a personal tragedy, it is a national mirror reflecting how inhumane the system has become. Instead of chasing distractions, Kenyans must demand reform, transparency, and compassion in tax enforcement.
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