A truck driver, who was among four people separately charged with various counts of tax evasion amounting to Kshs 2,745,113 before the Milimani law court, pleaded guilty.

Onesmus Muthini Mutie was charged with a count of conveying excisable goods affixed with counterfeit excise stamps pleaded guilty before Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo. Muthini was arrested on 7th October 2021 after police established that the motor vehicle he was driving was conveying 98 cartons of 250ml People Vodka and 44 cartons of East South Magic Times spirit all affixed with counterfeit excise stamps worth KShs 252,121 tax. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was released on a fine of KShs. 50,000/= or to face an imprisonment term of 6months.

In the same court, Anthony Otieno appeared jointly with George Njoroge to face charges of being in possession of excisable goods affixed with counterfeit excise stamps and also the charge of conveying excisable goods affixed with counterfeit excise stamps. The two offences are contrary to section 40 of Excise Duty Act and Regulation 30 of the Excise Duty (Excisable Goods Management System) Regulations, 2017.

This was after George Njoroge was arrested on 20th September, 2021 at TajMall area in Embakasi, Nairobi County while conveying Everest vodka affixed with counterfeit excise stamps with tax value of Kshs 1,967,500. They both denied charges and were released on cash bail of Kshs. 100,000/= or alternative bond of Kshs. 200,000/=. The case will be mentioned on 2nd December 2021.

Meanwhile, Rebecca Wanjiru Kamau, who was also separately charged with being in possession of uncustomed goods being 135 bags of uncustomed Sugar each weighing 50kgs and 61 ½ bags of Maize germ all with a tax value of Kshs 525,492.54 contrary to section 200(d)(iii) of the East Africa Community Customs Management Act, 2004 denied the charges. She was released on cash bail of Kshs.100, 000/= or alternative bond of Ksh.200, 000/= her case will continue on 2nd December 2021. Wanjiru was arrested on the 22nd October 2021 following a tip off by a member of the public to Kenya Revenue Authority that she had stored uncustomed sugar at Rabugi Building within Githurai 45. KRA officers raided the building and found the goods.

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