Kenyan runners threaten to defect over taxation laws

In a statement they released to the media on Wednesday, a group of Kenya’s top athletes revealed they may consider defecting to other countries if Kenya doesn’t change how athletes’ earnings are taxed.

Florence Kiplagat, a two-time winner of the Boston Marathon, said she no longer feels supported by her home country:

"If this matter goes on like this, I will defect to another country which will appreciate my effort"

"We are taxed abroad. Then we invest our remaining earnings here although the Government does nothing to support us. We work hard to give this nation a positive image abroad yet we get nothing in return. I can chose to change my nationality now (Reuters)."

Wesley Korir, winner of the 2012 Boston Marathon, added specifics:

"Qatar pays her gold medalists 100 million Kenyan shillings ($1.17 million) while this country is trying to devise ways of fleecing the athletes of their hard-earned money. The breakdown for taxation and deductions is as follows: 30 to 35 per cent for the country of origin, 15 per cent for the agent, 10 per cent for the manager, and now the KRA wants to add salt to injury by slapping a 30 per cent tax of that amount. That is exploiting us."

Maureen Njongo, a spokesperson for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), said steps should be made to prevent athletes from having to pay taxes in two countries, but she offered nothing beyond that.

[Source: Reuters]