Ruto’s KRA to KRS rename proposal at a staggering 1.2 billion shillings has opposition voices raising alarms loud this week, with NRA party Secretary General Amemba Magufuli leading the charge against what he calls wasteful spending without public input.
The president floated the idea during a recent trip, pushing for the Kenya Revenue Authority to become the Kenya Revenue Service as part of broader tax changes.
Magufuli didn’t mince words on social media. “Ruto has just returned from Mandera and suddenly realised that KRA should be renamed KRS at a cost of 1.2 billion,” he posted, questioning the process sharply.
“Which procedure did Kasongo follow to change KRA to KRS? Did he consult the public?” “”
The rename sits inside bigger tax reform talks. The government says the new name reflects a shift to service focus, friendlier collection, and wider reach.
That 1.2 billion covers branding – logos, signs, systems, and ads – money critics say could fix roads or hospitals instead. Ordinary Kenyans scroll comments agreeing: why spend big on letters when basics lag?
Timing adds fuel. Ruto is pushing hard for more money, new taxes hurt people’s wallets, and protests are still fresh in people’s minds. Some people think that renaming is tone-deaf and a waste of money when families are counting their coins.
Magufuli uses that fury to make the NRA party look like a watchdog on waste. His post went viral, with people sharing and quoting it as they vented their own complaints.
Quietly, supporters justify the move. They say that changing the name is a sign of a new beginning, with a more current image and improved long-term efficiency. Past rebrands like Kenya Power happened without this noise. But cost sticks sore – 1.2 billion real money, questions on tenders, who benefits.
Public consultation missing stings most. Magufuli asks directly: did anybody ask taxpayers? The process has stayed internal so far; Parliament is yet to debate it fully. The opposition smells a chance to rally, painting it as vanity over need.
When money is limited, responsibility is important. Young people feel it the most: there aren’t many jobs, and taxes are going up.
Ruto’s crew keeps focused on getting things done and making a lot of money. They say to change the name of the component of the package, not the splash on its own.
But criticism is growing, and voices like Magufuli’s make people mistrust even more. Will it go peacefully or start a greater fight? The public is waiting for answers about spending, and Parliament is watching.
This plan tests trust once more. A lot of people don’t like the taxman image, and changing the name won’t help. Loud issues about cost and process remain.
Kenya does need money, but it should come in fair and open methods. The debate goes on, with billions at risk and voices getting louder. Pay special attention; the outcome shapes more than letters.
