Al Kags

Executive Director, Open Institute.
Writer/Blogger. Social Entrepreneur. Ashoka Fellow.

[Al Kags @alkags]

Data is not power. Power is power.
Some thoughts for the #DataFest2026 opening today in Nairobi. 👇
https://t.co/4czLuzTJE3

[CPA Wachira Joseph @WashiraX]

What Julians has submitted is extremely critical. Extremely.

Right now:
• You partly tell KRA what you earned
• You tell KRA what tax you owe

If finance Bill 2026 passes,

It is KRA that will strictly tell YOU:
• What you earned
• What tax you owe

How?
• By pulling data from anywhere
• eTIMS, banks, third parties, govt ministries integrations, etc

If KRA sends you a tax bill. And it is insane. And you disagree. Who must prove it is wrong?

The bill says it is you.

But here is the danger. KRA is NOT required to tell you:
• Where they got the data from
• Or how they arrived at the figures

So you are left there. Trying to fight numbers you cannot see.

And some of those numbers could be system errors.

Now ask yourself,
- How do you disprove something you don’t even understand? Are you an angel?

What Julians is saying is simple.

If KRA wants to tax you using their data, KRA must prove to you and the courts that that data is:
• Accurate
• Reliable &
• Defensible

Is that a fair argument?
Or should taxpayers just fight ghosts?

[Al Kags @alkags]

Thinking about how Diaspora can show up for Africa’s reconstruction. https://t.co/9mbm0I6TES

[Al Kags @alkags]

I asked Perplexity ai to do deep research on the recent Africa Forward Summit signed deals between Kenya and France and give me a detailed briefing. At the end of that, Here it is. I hope you are briefed.https://t.co/ooz0jBPMdp

[Al Kags @alkags]

Does anyone know how many locations there are in Kenya?

[Al Kags @alkags]

Someone just sent me this... 😀😀😀😀

[Al Kags @alkags]

Where is @AtwoliDza in all of this?

[Al Kags @alkags]

@Rickygakugi Ah. Thats why we have to build another one elsewhere. Makes sense.

[Al Kags @alkags]

Do we still have an oil refinery in Chamngamwe Mombasa?

[Kairetu 👩🏾‍💻 @Mwende_Mugambi]

In today's Daily Nation paper!

Super proud of the journey @Mizizi_Africa has had💜

To more growth🥂

[Open Institute @Open_Institute]

Announcement: @Open_Institute Leadership Transition

After twelve years at the helm, @alkags has left the role of Executive Director of the Open Institute.

More details at https://t.co/YpBJhbqUmr

[Al Kags @alkags]

Today, we have made the announcement that I am stepping back from my role as Executive Director of The Open Institute. @jaybhalla , who founded the Institute with me, will lead it through the transition and into its next chapter. Here's why.

https://t.co/wqfaVDzyLD

[Al Kags @alkags]

@Safaricom_Care This suggests that it won’t… which is worrying because travelers outside depend on wifi. The app should be agnostic to the connection.

[Al Kags @alkags]

@Safaricom_Care you really need to figure this new app… why would you not test it fast

[Al Kags @alkags]

@atonigenera_ DM

[Al Kags @alkags]

Where can I get this drink in Kenya? Its an Ethiopian drink called Negus.

[Al Kags @alkags]

@Afri_Lens Exactly!

[Al Kags @alkags]

@veekiy Thanks for the follow 👊🏿

[Al Kags @alkags]

@TuJadili @bonface_okoth Yeah…

[Al Kags @alkags]

@mosesshauri Oh thats a super idea!

[Al Kags @alkags]

These sort of thing just continues to erode trust.

[CPA Wachira Joseph @WashiraX]

What is happening with KRA?

KRA audited Katahira & Engineers International Limited and raised a tax demand of 140M.

Katahira went to court and won. The tax demand was killed.

You would think that is the end

KRA returned to Times Towers empty handed. Extremely angry. Swearing.
Hiyo 140M haiwezi enda hivo. Aje?

They hatched a plan. Ikaingiana perfectly.

They deployed agency notices to NCBA and Stanbic banks. With stern instructions:

- Freeze all Katahira accounts
- Sweep the money and forward to KRA
- Up to 140M

Katahira directors woke up the next morning. As usual, chai ya kazini ndio hua inabamba. So they didn't take tea at home.

At work, they tried to send money for tea. Accounts are frozen.

They thought, KRA made an error to freeze our accounts.

They served KRA and the banks with the court order that had already killed the tax.
And asked them to unfreeze the accounts.

KRA said they don’t want to see it. Wao wanataka tu 140M.

Angry and with caffeine induced headache,
Katahira ran to court again.

The court could not believe it.

It bashed KRA for disobedience of it's orders. And ordered the accounts to be unfrozen.

They were unfrozen.

Unfortunately, the court did not award legal costs to Katahira.

What is happening at KRA? And who is accountable?