Published on 09/06/2025
Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) justification for the tripling of import taxes under the new CRSP system, Taxman’s new chatbot, and a breakdown of Kenya’s biggest money market funds by assets.
KRA unveiled a new Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) system, the taxman is doubling down on its explanation for why taxes on some cars will increase threefold.
KRA Commissioner of Customs and Border Control Lilian Nyawanda attributed the steep increase to a lengthy delay in adjusting the rates, noting that CRSP had not been updated since 2009.
Nyawanda further explained that past attempts to revise the CRSP had been hampered by opposition from some stakeholders.
What KRA is Saying: “In 2020, the authority’s attempt to review the CRSP was contested by stakeholders in court. As a result, the current list has remained unchanged since 2019. There has therefore been a need to review the CRSP in consultation with stakeholders to reflect emerging changes in the sector,” she said.
“Furthermore, many new and advanced vehicle models have entered the market, which are not included in the 2019 CRSP.”
The Numbers: According to KRA, the import duty rate for some models has increased from 25% in 2019 to 35% in 2025. Additionally, the new CRSP list includes over 5,200 unique models, compared to about 3,000 in 2019.
Some of the affected models include:
- Suzuki Swift – Taxes increased from Ksh253,574 to Ksh623,503 (a 145% jump)
- Toyota Vitz Hybrid F – Will now cost Ksh3,440,622
- Toyota Prado TX-L-E4 – Will cost Ksh9,095,659
- Mazda CX-5 20S – Will cost Ksh6,839,016
Catch Up Quick: At the end of last month, KRA announced it was changing how it calculates base taxes—moving from a fixed retail price to the actual price paid for each vehicle. While this system has faced backlash from stakeholders, KRA says it aims to make tax calculations fairer and reduce disputes between importers and the tax authority.
