The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General, Mr. Humphrey Wattanga, has revealed that the Authority has seized products worth Kes 897.244 million.
Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism, the Commissioner said KRA has enhanced its surveillance to eradicate the production and sale of illicit liquor.
This comes after the National Government issued a notification of actions to be taken to eradicate illicit brews and drug and substance abuse in the Country.
KRA says the products mentioned above were seized after implementing 976 interventions on illicit trade within a period between 2023/24Financial Year
Further, he said that KRA has stationed its Officers at all Excisable goods manufacturing plants to enhance compliance with the law.
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Additionally, Wattanga said the Excise Duty regulations allow KRA to station its officers at factories producing excise tax-covered goods such as beer, wines and spirits, cigarettes, mineral water, soft drinks, and juices.
The officers, also known as resident staff, implement compliance, service support, and enforcement initiatives, including disclosing any irregularities and discrepancies to ensure the manufacturers' correct payment and filing of excise taxes.
He claimed that to increase security; staff members supplement various monitoring techniques like CCTV cameras installed within factories and connected to the KRA system.
In response to a petition brought before the Senate, KRA gave details about the steps the Authority is taking to ensure tax compliance at manufacturers such as EABL.
KRA stated that no changes in manufacturing ingredients have impacted taxes over the past five years.
According to reports, in FY 2021/22 and FY 2022/23, Kenya Breweries Limited accounted for more than 60% of domestic excise collections.
KRA continues to collaborate with other Government Agencies within the MultiAgency framework to promote legitimate trade and protect society against harmful products such as illicit alcohol through various operations, border patrols, surveillance, and cargo monitoring.
The Authority remains committed to collaborating with all Government Agencies in the fight against illicit brews and drug and substance abuse.
