Alcohol manufacturers have invited government agencies to inspect their premises a week after counterfeit excise stamps were recovered at Africa Spirits Limited.
Kenya Revenue Authority and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are jointly investigating the Thika-based manufacturer on accusations of evading Sh1.2 billion tax.
Through their industry lobby, the Alcohol Beverages Association of Kenya (ABAK), the manufacturers said they do not condone unethical behaviour among members.
“As an industry, ABAK would also like to proactively engage government agencies and invite them for visits in respective premises to facilitate investigations,” ABAK chairman Gordon Mutugi said in a statement.
During last week’s raid at Africa Spirits, investigators seized 21 million counterfeit excise stamps and 312,000 litres of illicit products.
This is latest in a number of operations that have seen the taxman crack down on businesses selling fake or counterfeit goods or evading taxes.
“In connection to this, ABAK is calling for further investigations, beyond the membership, to identify all involved players in these allegations undermining the industry’s efforts,” he said.
Traders in major towns were recently found selling liquor that either lacked KRA stamps or the Kebs quality mark from.
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