NAIROBI: The taxman has been ordered to respond swiftly to a suit challenging a new directive requiring importers to acquire a certificate of conformity before goods are offloaded.
Justice Isaac Lenaola said he needs Kenya Revenue Authority’s response before issuing any orders on January 18. The case was filed by activist Okiya Omtatah, who accuses KRA of imposing the new rule unconstitutionally.
In a notice published on December 29 last year to Sea and Air Cargo Carriers, KRA banned import of goods without a certificate of conformity issued by agents appointed by the Kenya Bureau of Standards. The pre-export verification of conformity to standards will cover all imports from January 1.
The KRA says if the order is violated, goods will not be offloaded and will be returned to the country of origin at the carrier’s cost. Omtatah said the directive is based on a law that does not exist. He said it should be declared null and void as it is based on a legal notice repealed in July last year.
