The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has started developing its first-ever Kenya Sign Language glossary covering tax, customs and tax-system terminology.

The initiative is aimed at making tax information easier to understand and access for deaf Kenyans.

KRA is working with organisations representing persons with disabilities, legal experts and Kenya Sign Language interpreters to create standard signs for technical terms commonly used in tax administration.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Kenya Sign Language Interpreters Association, Kenya National Association of the Deaf and the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development.

A total of 284 terms are expected to receive corresponding Kenya Sign Language signs when the exercise is completed.

The terms will cover three key areas of KRA operations. These include 115 customs terms, 75 terms related to business systems, tax and electronic management, and 94 domestic tax terms.

Each term will be assigned a standard sign that will be recorded and used as a common reference when explaining tax obligations, customs procedures and KRA systems.

KRA said the move is intended to reduce communication challenges and improve tax literacy among deaf taxpayers.

The standardised glossary will also provide interpreters, educators and taxpayers with a consistent way of communicating complicated tax and customs terminology.

The initiative comes as KRA continues introducing reforms aimed at improving tax administration and making its services more accessible to different groups of Kenyans.

By developing the new glossary, the authority hopes to make important tax information easier to understand while ensuring that deaf Kenyans can access government services and information more effectively.