AfriPulse
Several employers could face prosecution for allegedly failing to remit the mandatory training levy to the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), amid pressure from MPs for immediate compliance.
This follows a report by the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee that Ksh194 million in training levies remains uncollected, with no evidence of legal action taken against defaulters.
During a meeting with NITA officials on Thursday, April 30, MPs accused the Authority of laxity in enforcement despite legal provisions requiring employers to remit the levy and penalising those who fail to comply.
The NITA levy is a statutory payment under the Industrial Training Act, requiring all employers in Kenya to contribute towards skills development and workforce training.
National Industrial Training Authority offices in Mombasa.
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NITA
Every employer is required to register with NITA and pay the levy based on the number of employees, with payment made through NITA’s payment systems or the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) Unified Payroll Returns platform.
Committee Chairperson Emmanuel Wangwe questioned why NITA had not taken defaulters to court, noting that the legal guidelines to do so have long been in place.
“The Constitution of Kenya has been in force since August 27, 2010. You had all the leeway to take these people to court. Since then, have you done so?” posed Wangwe.
Lawmakers also raised concerns over weak debt collection mechanisms, arguing that some employers continue to access NITA services without paying the required levy.
“How can you provide services and fail to follow up on payments? This raises serious concerns about accountability by NITA,” said Ndhiwa MP Peter Owino.
The Committee further demanded documentation on the appointment of Collection Africa Limited, a private company contracted to recover the outstanding levies on behalf of the government.
NITA attributed the failure to prosecute defaulters to inadequate staffing and procedural challenges, particularly the requirement for inspectors during legal proceedings.
However, MPs insisted that the Authority must strengthen enforcement and ensure all employers comply, warning that failure to collect the levy undermines efforts to support skills development in the country.
Members of the National Assembly during a vote to entrench the NG-CDF, NGAAF, and Senate Oversight Fund into the Constitution on July 1, 2025.
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National Assembly
Source: Kenyans.co.ke | Read the Full Story…
