Businessman Charged With Sh11 Million Tax Evasion in Cigarettes

Nairobi — A businessman has been arraigned before Milimani Chief Magistrate for being in possession of uncustomed goods and excisable stamps acquired without the authority of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Patrick Murimi Mwangi was charged before Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku with offenses relating to repackaging and distribution of contraband cigarettes for the purposes of evading taxes amounting to Sh11.6 million.

On the first count, the accused faces a charge of being in possession of 1.4 million sticks of uncustomed Supermatch cigarettes with a tax value of Kshs 8.3 million as required under section 200 D(iii) As Read with Section 210 (C) of The East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004.

The accused also faced a second count of being in possession of 50,000 pieces of excisable stamps made without authority of the KRA as required under Regulation 30(1)(E) of Excisable Goods Management System Regulation 2017.

The businessman was arrested in Githunguri in Kiambu County on 22nd December 2020. He denied both charges and was released on a bond of Kshs 900,000 and alternative cash bail of Kshs 200,000. The case is set for a mention on 22nd February 2021.

“KRA strives to detect and disrupt tax evasion schemes and prosecute criminals to ensure that all individuals pay their fair share of taxes,” said Acting Commissioner, Investigations & Enforcement Dr. Edward Karanja.