Two businessmen have been charged with several counts of tax evasion before Engineer court Senior Resident Magistrate Hon. Daphline Sure. Solomon Philip and Kimani Kairu faced four counts of charges being in possession of counterfeit stamp contrary to section 378(a) of the Penal Code, being in possession of uncustomed goods contrary to section 200(d) iii as read with section 210(c) of East African Community Customs Management Act 2004, handling Excisable goods without a license contrary to section 15 of Excise Duty Act No 23 of 2015 and being in possession of substandard liquor contrary to section 3(1) of the Alcoholic Drinks Act.

The accused was arrested on 23rd December, 2021 KRA Officers with assistance of DCI Officers while acting on a tip off raided Christened Africanna Great Malewa Resort located at Michore area within Ndemi location. The law enforcement officers found him with assorted brands of alcohol which included 2 pieces of traditional liquor labelled Malewa Sweet Beer packed in 750 Ml each, 1 piece of 350ml each, 17 pieces of 250 Ml each, 20 litres of traditional alcohol known as Martina, forged KRA rubber stamp, forged Uganda Revenue Authority rubber stamp, and 16 pieces of fake Kenya Bureau of Standards labels.

Both accused pleaded not guilty to the offences and were released on Bond of KShs. 1 million and one surety. The case will be mentioned for pre-trial on 27th January 2022.

Meanwhile 27 bags of sugar branded Kamuli Sugar with dutiable value of KShs 123,626 which that been smuggled into Kenya from Uganda have been intercepted. The consignment was intercepted along Busia Amoni road at Harmony / Milimani area road within Busia Town within Busia County. The sugar were discovered concealed with a black paper.

The driver of motor vehicle used in transportation Leonard Emodo was subsequently arrested since he could not provide importation documents. Customs duty had not been paid. Emodo was then charged at Busia Law Courts for conveying and being in possession of uncustomed goods where he pleaded not guilty and was released on a cash bail of KShs 40,000or bond of KShs 50,000witha surety of a similar amount. The case is scheduled for mention on 5th January, 2021.

KRA encourages all taxpayers to pay their fair share of taxes and remain complaint with tax laws in order to avoid punitive enforcement measures including prosecution and forfeiture of vehicles conveying uncustomed goods. This will ensure that there is fair competition by traders within the various industries/ sectors.

Commissioner, Investigations & Enforcement