Speaking on Thursday, November 12, 2026, the disability rights advocate questioned the rationale behind introducing graded exemption percentages that could reduce financial relief for thousands of Kenyan workers and caregivers.
Under KRA’s draft income tax regulations, the taxman seeks to replace uniform relief frameworks with tiered exemption bands based on medical severity classifications.
While individuals with profound or complete disabilities would still qualify for a 100 per cent exemption up to the statutory cap of Ksh150,000 monthly income, those categorized with moderate or severe visual, hearing, speech, or intellectual impairments face reduced tax relief bands ranging between 30 and 60 per cent.
Senator Asige, who sponsored the landmark Persons with Disabilities Act of 2025, warned that subjecting citizens to fragmented severity grading undermines the progressive spirit of disability legislation.
She noted that the draft rules also impose burdensome documentation hurdles, including mandatory specialist medical reports from public hospitals, employer introductory letters detailing how a disability affects job performance, and potential physical appearances before assessment committees.
Disability rights organizations and legal observers have echoed Asige’s concerns, warning that restrictive verification procedures risk locking out eligible beneficiaries and escalating healthcare expenses for low-income households.
Stakeholders further emphasized that tax exemptions serve as vital economic equalizers offsetting high medical, assistive device, and caregiving costs.
As public participation and legislative scrutiny over the draft regulations continue, Asige pledged to engage Treasury officials and parliamentary committees to protect existing disability entitlements.
Balancing rigorous tax compliance with inclusive social protection remains essential to upholding constitutional rights and safeguarding vulnerable citizens across Kenya.
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https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/crystal-asige-questions-kra-over-new-tax-rules-for-persons-with-disabilities
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