Kenya Revenue Authority's (KRA) officers Firms to face prosecution over smuggling

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that suspects involved in the smuggling of sugar, ethanol and motor vehicles

impounded at the port of Mombasa be charged.

Mr Keriako Tobiko, upon receiving two files from the Kenya Revenue Authority's (KRA) officer in charge of revenue protection services, said that Mr Abdalla Roka Godana, Rueben Gachau Mwihaki, Hilary Kipruto Bett (verification officer, KRA), and Dansaf Logistics directors Pius Kinyua and Mary Gathema should face justice.

Companies to be charged are Midstar Forwarders Co. Ltd, Rwagacha Suppliers, Pacific International Line (K) Ltd and Dansaf Logistics.

Mr Tobiko, in a press release signed by Assistant DPP Alexander Muteti, further instructed that the following companies and their directors be probed: Norken Traders Co. Ltd, Besbro East Africa Ltd, The Connectors (K) Ltd, Tomo Logistics Ltd, Sea World Shipping Co. Ltd, Asmand Trading CO Ltd, Homeline Consolidation Services Ltd, Dot.Com Consultants Ltd and Portside CFS Management.

Additionally, Mr Tobiko directed that all KRA verification and document processing officers who handled the cargo be investigated.

The KRA, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) announced the seizure of the cargo in January, saying it comprised 64 containers of ethanol and Sh56 million worth of contraband Brazilian sugar.

Also, five new Range Rovers were impounded in November and December last year.

The heads of the three agencies — KRA Commissioner-General John Njiraini, EACC Chef Executive Halakhe Waqo and DCI Director Ndegwa Muhoro — jointly said the shipment would be destroyed, not auctioned, as was previously the case.

Mr Muhoro said no one would be spared in the fight against the vice.