The Court has allowed 38 KRA staff who were arrested last week to be detained for 14 days as investigations over alleged tax evasion and abuse of office continue. The KRA staff were arrested on Friday, 10th May at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)-Domestic Taxes Department and Customs and Border Control Department and their phones, laptops and other gadgets and equipment in their possession were seized. According to the prosecution, the DCI is investigating tax evasion, money laundering, abuse of office among other alleged offences.
The resident magistrate Mutio Mayova refused to grant the prosecution’s request, that the suspects be detained for 21 days. The prosecution pointed out that the investigations into the case are complex and require detailed analysis of over 178 phone numbers and M-Pesa statements.
They also noted that the evidence gathered so far shows that the respondents were actively involved and colluded with certain taxpayers in a criminal enterprise to evade payment of taxes or reduce tax liability. 48 associates of the respondents who are employees at KRA are at large and are being pursued by security services according to the prosecution.