The Chief Magistrate’s Court at Kakamega Magistrate’s Court has sentenced to one year imprisonment a lorry driver, Mr. Shadrack Chirchir Kogo, who had been charged in January 2024 with the offence of conveying uncustomed goods contrary to the East Africa Community Customs Management Act,2004.
In addition, the Court ordered for the forfeiture of cigarettes valued at Kshs. 26,250,000/= which had been smuggled fromBurundi. Two other accused persons; Jacktone Andayi and Christabel Wafula, who were charged with the offence of being in possession of excisable goods contrary to Excise Duty Act,2015were acquitted for lack of evidence. The trio had been charged in connection to 350 cartons each containing 5000 sticks of Supermatch cigarettes and 40 bags of smuggled wheat bran chicken feeds manufactured in Burundi that were found being offloaded at a residential premise at Shuvumbe area in Kakamega on 15th October, 2023.
The accused were arrested during an intelligence-led operation conducted by DCI and KRA officers in the residential premise which was still under construction. KRA is collaborating with other law enforcement agencies and has put in place a robust mechanism for detecting, deterring and disrupting illicit trade and other forms of tax evasion.
The general public is also urged to report any instances of tax evasion in order to ensure every person pays his fair share of taxes. All information received shall be kept confidential and the identity of the informant kept 100% anonymous.
