Three suspects who were awarded several contracts by the Ministry of Planning and Devolution to supply various items to National Youth Service (NYS) were today separately charged in court with tax evasion totalling Kshs.40 million.

In the first case, a beneficiary of the NYS tenders Ms. Caroline Atieno Mango appeared before Milimani Court Senior Principal Magistrate Bernard Ochoi. Ms. Mango faced a total of twenty counts ranging from failure to declare correct amounts in Income Tax, failure to pay Value Added Taxes (VAT) and failure to pay Corporation Tax from 2014 to 2018 all totalling to Kshs.10.7 million. She pleaded not guilty and was released on a bond of Kshs.5 million and alternative bail of Kshs.3 million. The case will be heard on 28th November 2019.

Meanwhile appearing before Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku, Ms. Catherine Wanjiku Mwai faced four counts of tax evasion which include failure to file tax returns, failure to pay Corporation Tax and failure to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) while trading as Kunjiwa Enterprises between 2016 and 2018. She denied all the charges and was released on a bond of Kshs 1 million with one Surerity and alternative cash bail of Kshs. 500,000. The case will be heard on 20th December 2019.

Also separately appearing before Hon. Mutuku, Ms. Phylis Njeri Ngirita faced similar number of counts and charges as Ms. Wanjiku . Ms. Njeri was trading as Njewanga Enterprises in the supplies tenders to NYS between 2016 and 2017. The total taxes evaded amounts to Kshs.20.7 million. Ms. Ngirita was released on a bond of Kshs 1 million with one surerity and alternative cash bail of similar amount. The case will be mentioned on 7th November 2019.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) strives to ensure all eligible taxpayers pay their fair share of taxes in time and remain tax compliant to avoid punitive enforcement measures including prosecution. KRA remains committed to building taxpayers trust through facilitation to foster Compliance with Tax and Customs Legislation to improve service delivery and revenue collection. KRA also endeavours to make taxpaying experience better through provision of a courteous and professional service.

Commissioner, Investigation and Enforcement Department- David Yego