KRA seizes illegal goods at Joho firm

A fresh row has emerged after the taxman announced the ‘new’ seizure of contraband goods at the cargo facility owned by relatives of the Mombasa governor.

Yesterday, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Deputy Commissioner Nicholas Kinoti read a speech on behalf of KRA Commissioner of Customs and Border Control Julius Musyoki, detailing the latest findings.

“Investigators undertaking the probe at Autoports Container Freight Station, which was ordered closed last month, have discovered a fresh list of cargo containers loaded with imported sugar and ethanol,” Mr Musyoki said.

Casual workers open a container during the verification of cargo at Autoport Container Freight Station in Mombasa. Mr Musyoki said investigators undertaking the probe at Autoports Container Freight Station, which was ordered closed last month, have discovered a fresh list of cargo containers loaded with imported sugar and ethanol. (PHOTO: OMONDI ONYANGO/ STANDARD)

But Salim Juma, an official at the facility, dismissed KRA’s decision to seize contraband goods from the container freight station as nothing new “because these goods have been in the place since November last year”.

 Receive cargo

He said KRA officials knew very well the CFS was an extension of the port, which was allowed to receive any cargo after being nominated to the place.

“We do not know why we are being targetted and yet the importer of the goods, whose name is in the bill of lading, is not being followed,” said Mr Juma.

Musyoki disclosed that the consignment, which was discovered at Autoport CFS, had been mis-declared as floor sanding machines and related hardware tools with an estimated tax value of Sh36 million.

The KRA official added that the verification also stumbled on a single 40-foot container suspected to contain 135 drums of liquid product suspected to be ethanol with an estimated tax value of Sh11 million.

 Listed importers

He said that they are also in pursuit of listed importers for whom KRA intends to take to court.

Documents seen by The Standard listed the importing firms as James Kimani Mwangi of P.O. Box 00200, Nairobi who had imported the floor sanding machine and related hardware tools and Westmiill Africa Limited.

Musyoki added in the statement that the container’s contents would be destroyed as part of KRA’s measure to curb the practice.

But Autoports officials accused KRA of recycling old discoveries to make it appear like new illegal goods had been found at the cargo station.

“Since the KRA action against our facility and after we become the subject of intense investigations, there is not even a single container that has found its way here. The purported remark by KRA that fresh contraband cargoes have been found does not hold water,’’ said a company official who wished to remain anonymous said.