The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Ports Authority are at loggerheads over unaccounted for containers destined for Uganda that led to Sh2.6 billion tax losses.
Public Investments Committee (PIC) on Tuesday shocked KRA commissioner- general John Njiraini when it produced a letter signed for Beatrice Memo, the commissioner of customs services directed KPA to provide 2,636 containers or arrange to pay Sh2,636,000,000 to the commissioner of customs.
PIC chairman Abdulswamad Nassir said the Uganda bound containers comprised 1,052 20 foot containers and 792 40 foot containers.
“This is one of the letters that has instigated serious issues with our neighbours to the extent that some have opted to ship their containers from other ports. Are you aware of this letter?” Mr Nassir posed.
Mr Njiraini said he had not looked at the letter but promised to issue a comprehensive response to MPs.
“It’s possible cases like this could be under investigations,” said Mr Njiraini. The letter dated February 4, 2015 and addressed to Gichiri Ndua, then KPA managing director draws the attention of KPA to the failed response to two earlier KRA letters.
Lagdera lawmaker Mohamed Abdikar tabled customs documents showing that some importers paid as low as Sh20,000 to clear 40 foot containers.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
