NAIROBI: Kenya Revenue Authority has unearthed a syndicate of removing containers from the port without paying tax. The authority has so far lost approximately Sh100 million after 104 containers were unprocedurally removed between June and July.
In a statement, KRA commissioner general John Njiraini said preliminary findings point to collusion among various players, including importers and their clearing agents, transport service providers, Kenya Ports Authority and KRA staff involved in cargo release. In May, KRA suspended four Mombasa customs officers for aiding tax evasion. It said seven containers removed from the Kilindini port unprocedurally were nabbed, leading to the arrest and suspension of the four. They were attached to the Customs and Border Control department. The seven out of nine containers were intercepted for verification.
“Clearing agents and transporters who handled the cargo have been identified, apprehended and recorded statements. Relevant charges will be preferred against the culprits,” Njiraini said. He said some KRA and KPA staff involved have been suspended and investigations are going to determine criminal culpability. “Besides the actions, operations are in progress to impound all the 29 trucks identified to have ferried the cargo out of the port,” Njiraini said. Maritime players have in the recent past complained of unfair trade practices at the port. Crafty businessmen have evaded paying tax amounting to billions of shillings.
“The scheme came to light recently during a routine reconciliation exercise by customs staff to ensure proper accountability for container stocks at the port. The exercise was also meant to facilitate the identification of overstayed containers for auction,” Njiraini said. He said 40,924 containers were cleared in the two months, which means 99.99 per cent of cargo was cleared procedurally.
Njiraini said KRA is working with KPA to address the weaknesses identified. The standard operating procedues at KRA stipulates that all imported cargo be discharged and stacked by KPA at the port or at an authorised inland container depot, before verification and release by KRA, the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and KPA. Other cases of ta evation and fraud were reported in early January, when KRA intercepted several contianers and accused officials of trying to help importers evade tax, swindling the country millions of shillings. “KRA is committed to ensuring that those involved in abetting Customs and other tax crimes are held to account and all tax dues recovered,” he said.
