On Monday, November 28, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) led a multi-agency team in raiding an illegal alcohol manufacturing plant in Njiru, Nairobi County.
During the early morning raid led by the operatives from the Economic and Commercial Crimes Unit, over 5,000 stickers of an alcoholic drink identified as Bongo Vodka were also seized.
The detectives also uncovered hundreds of counterfeited KRA stamps.
Workers at the plant who seemed to have gotten wind of the detectives’ impending arrival fled the premises hurriedly, leaving behind the manufacturing plant machines still running.
Meanwhile, detectives launched a manhunt for the plant owners located along the Njiru – Mwiki road, who, once arrested, will be arraigned in a court of law.
The raid follows a recent directive by President William Ruto to the police to conduct intelligence-led operations targeting counterfeit goods after it was discovered that crooked businessmen had devised ways of evading taxation.
DCI reiterated that they had intensified crackdown on counterfeit and illegal products finding their way to shelves in the local market.
President Ruto put the taxman on notice over claims that they colluded with tax evaders to defraud the State.
He further tasked the authority to collect Ksh3 trillion in revenue during the next financial year, about Ksh1 trillion on top of its 2021/22 collection.
“I expect KRA to raise at least Ksh3 trillion by the end of the next financial year and to double the current collection in five years,” the President declared.
Following the president’s directive, on Monday, November 7, the National Police Service (NPS) ordered a countrywide crackdown on unscrupulous businesses.
“This follows the detection of numerous tax evasion schemes around the country which deny the government due revenue to fund public services. The crackdown is to commence with immediate effect under the coordination of respective commanders at all levels,” then acting Inspector General, Noor Gabow directed.
Gabow directed the police commanders to immediately contact their KRA counterparts if any revenue evasion case is detected.
“Regional and County commanders should take the responsibility over these operations in coordination with the KRA as necessary,” the IG directed.
The directive, however, ignited concerns among traders and business people who view it as a blank cheque for rogue police officers to extort money from them.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE