Vandals Destroy Billboards Challenging Rise In Cost Of Tax Stamps

Vandals have destroyed three billboards along the busy Kiambu Road which challenged the Government’s plans to hike the cost of excise tax stamps.

The billboards, which rallied Kenyans to “Stamp Out Stamp Gate” – in reference to the multi-billion-shilling excise stamp procurement deal involving the Swiss security printing firm SICPA – had been sponsored by Stop Crime Kenya, a campaign against the smuggling and selling of illicit goods.

Messages on the billboards (attached) read: “Kenyans are paying the world’s highest fees for tax stamps supplied by scandal-hit Swiss firm SICPA – Stamp Out Stamp Gate”; “Fee increases of up to 300% for tax stamps supplied by scandal-hit Swiss firm SICPA will drive up prices, destroy jobs and fuel illicit trade”; and “KRA’s deal for tax stamps with scandal-hit Swiss firm SICPA will cost Kenyans Sh162 billion. It must be made public”.

Commenting on the vandalism, Stop Crime Kenya chairman Stephen Mutoro said: “The destruction of the billboards is a clear indication of the level of intolerance in the country right now, and points to the conclusion that certain people do not want Kenyans questioning measures Government is implementing that will cost taxpayers billions in revenue.

“It would appear that forces behind the SICPA deal do not wish the public to know the truth about it. They have been suppressing publicity around the issue and they have even threatened the staff of the firm that put up our billboards.

“The vandalism only serves to reinforce our resolve to continue challenging policies that are likely to help spur illicit trade – which continues to deprive the Kenyan Government of over Sh150 billion in revenue annually.”

The advertising boards challenged the Kenyan Government’s decision to increase the cost of excise tax stamps by up to 300 percent for various products including beer, juices, cigarettes, and cosmetics starting in March this year.

In February, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers said it was alarmed by the proposal to raise the cost of excise tax stamps, and urged the Government to retain current rates in view of the negative attendant consequences an increase would yield on prices and legitimate consumption. The proposed increase would fuel illicit trade involving some of the country’s most counterfeited goods, resulting in further tax losses for the Treasury, KAM warned.

Leader of Minority in the National Assembly, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, has called for an official audit into the SICPA deal, which he says is costing the country Sh162 billion. The firm has denied it is a bad deal for Kenyans.

Related Content: KAM Protests Move To Increase Excise Duty By Over 100%