Mombasa Trader Bwanamaka Sentenced To 1 Year In Jail For Tax Evasion

Prominent Mombasa businessman Maur Abdalla Bwanamaka is required to pay Kshs 10,154,163 owed to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) or risk 1-year imprisonment.

Mombasa chief magistrate Ms Edna Nyaloti ordered the businessman to pay outstanding taxes to the taxman. A fine of US$ 5,000 was also imposed on him and he faces 1 year imprisonment if he fails to comply.

The Court found Bwanamaka guilty of undervaluing imported consignments of Rice and scrap metal.

The Magistrate also sentenced the Businessman’s two accomplices, Ali Mohamed Ahmed, a shipping agent, and a foreign ship-master of the MV Alfazal which conveyed the goods to Kenya, Abdulla Husen Mer, a fine of US$, 5000, and US$ 10,000 respectively or be jailed for 1 year.

The Chief magistrate gave a notice to the owner of the MV Alfazal to appear in Court to explain why the vessel should not be forfeited to the Government of Kenya.

“The under declaration of the Cargo that MV AL Fazal ferried from Zanzibar to Kilindini port is very glaring,” the Chief magistrate noted.

Ms Nyaloti insisted she was satisfied that the prosecution had proved its case against the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt.

She stated the total bags of rice was 15,045 while the declared Bags of Rice was 1000. The declared scrap metal was 10 tonnes while the actual scrap metal was 16 tons
She emphasized that the evidence from the witnesses and the Court hearing at the old port confirmed that the accused persons gave false information.

In the first count, the accused, Maur Abdallah Bwanamaka, federal commercial investments limited, Ali Mohammed Ahmed ,and captain shipping agency limited were charged that on the 28th day of October 2019 at Old Port and Kilindini Ship Boarding office within Mombasa County being directors of Limited companies and limited companies respectively; unlawfully made a false report, namely Transire, in relation to cargo aboard MV Alfazal Registration number Z 1438 to wit; 1000 bags of 25kg rice and 10 tonnes of scrap metal instead of 15,045 bags of 25kgs rice and 16tonnes of scrap metal all valued at Kshs. 22,532,619/- with a tax implication of Kshs. 13,142,066/-

The second count stated that , Abdulla husen mer the 28th day of October 2019 at Kilindini Ship Boarding Office within Mombasa County, being the Master of a Marine Motor Vessel namely MV AL FAZAL registration number Z 1348 was found to be conveying Rice and Scrap metal which had been under declared vide Transire No. OCV-KLD-075-2019 in contravention of the East African Community Customs Management Act to wit; 1000 bags of 25kg rice and 10 tonnes of scrap metal instead of 15, 045 bags of 25kgs rice and 16 tonnes of scrap metal all valued at Kshs. 22,532,619/- with a tax implication of Kshs. 13,142,066/-