12 Kenyan Firms on the Spot for Tax Evasion Claims

12 Kenyans firms have been put on the spot for tax evasion claims with reports revealing that they have not settled their dues since January last year.

Following the accusations, legislators have asked the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to present tax details of the firms from January last year to March 2020.

The twelve firms in question are; Zheng Hong Limited, Patiala Distillers, Elle Kenya, Mount Kenya Breweries, Crywan Enterprise, Vinepack Limited, FRM EA Packers, Platinum Distillers, Moonwalk Investment Limited, Tihan Limited, and two Cousins Distillers.

The MPs accuse the local firms of importing over 200 million empty bottles of 250 milliliters and refilled them with alcoholic drinks, but they were cleared by the taxman without paying import duty.

The legislators also accuse the KRA staff of colluding with taxpayers which resulted in fraudulent clearance of cargo at the ports and alteration of tax returns.

“I hereby seek your directive to cause the departmental committee on Finance and National Planning to undertake an inquiry in the matter and table to the house on the following,” announced Ruaraka Member of parliament TJ Kajwang’.

“The total tax paid by the said firms between Jan 2019 and March 2020 and whether the firms are tax complaint and if not, why? “Kajwang’ added.

Tj Kajwang’ also inquired about the “firms and or their directors have been involved in tax evasion in the past and if so what actions have been taken against them.”

The 12 firms under probe are said to have imported bottle caps from Torrent East Africa Limited, an international manufacturer of spirits and seals.

KRA will be required to table all the tax payment details of the firms as well as the exact number of bottles they imported from abroad.

Kebs officials were also on the spot for giving the firms fake stickers used to seal the alcoholic drinks.

READ: 30.5 Percent Of Kenyans Failed To Pay Their Rent For April