Kenya Revenue Authority and customs officials at Malaba border in Busia county had a difficult time when they were asked how they collected revenue from the locals when the parliamentary committee on regional integration led by the Vice-Chair and Turkana member of parliament Christopher Nakuleu paid them a visit. The committee comprising of eight members wanted to know the total revenue collected quarterly, semi-annually and annually so as to make it easy for the government to cater for its plans. However, KRA and customs officials did not give a comprehensive reply, instead pledging to do that in due course.
KRA regional coordinator John Kathakwa was put on the spot after alleging that some of their officials were staying in rental houses belonging to local smugglers.
The committee was furious with the “smugglers” remark and asked the officials to formalize some of the notable ‘panya routes’ so that the government doesn’t lose a lot of revenue from that. “We wish also to know the crime rate as a result of smuggling and movement of Al-Shabaab,” urged Nakuleu, the committee’s Vice-Chair.
He said the Al-Shabaab militants were using border points including Isebania, Namanga, and Busia among others in entering the country and unleashing terror to Kenyans.
Mr. Nakuleu also asked how the one stop border point initiative was impacting on the locals economically. “Even as this initiative promises impeccable future to the East Africa member states, we should ensure that the locals don’t suffer,” he said. He revealed that Malaba was the busiest border point in the country and warned the customs officials against engaging in mega corruption.
At one point Ugenya MP David Ouma Ochieng’ demanded for the arrest of Busia governor Sospeter Ojaamong for breaching the EAC protocol by allowing his workers to collect revenue around the customs yard. “What the governor is doing is in itself illegal and against the Kenyan gazette notice,” he said.
However, Nakuleu intervened immediately and asked the KRA officials, the security forces and the county government to initiate dialogue and reach an amicable solution.
The MPs who visited the Malaba KRA offices included: Christopher Nakuleu, Florence Mutua, David Ochieng’ Ouma, Mark Lomunokol, David Kirathe, Emmanuel Wangwe, Erick Keter, and Anthony Kamau.
