BY SAM ALFAN.
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho has suffered another major blow after High court in Nairobi issued an order barring the Governor from transferring monies held in his CFC Stanbic Bank account.
Anti- Corruption Court Presiding Judge Hedwing Ongudi, said that the governor should not withdraw any funds until Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) completes tax returns assessment.
The order for preservation of the monies will last for a period of 30 days, the judge said.
KRA moved to court seeking the prohibitive order against Joho, on grounds that he has not filed any returns from the year 2014.
The taxman’s lawyer Syvestster Okello, told the court that the tax returns last filed were for the years 2008- 2013 with taxpayer returning nil income all the years except 2010.
” Despite declaring nil tax returns the governor is the registered owner of two high end motor vehicle Rolls Royce KBR001R and Posche Cayenne KCC001J” the lawyer said.
He told the court that its apparent that the respondent has been in receipt of income in respect of which no taxes have been charged, saying that the commission intends to assess his income and issue tax assessment.
” If the funds in the accounts of the respondent are not preserved then its likely that he may frustrate the recovery of the tax” he said.
He said that Joho has interest in several companies, saying that there are no known assets in his name that may be used to recover the taxes once the assessments have been finalized.
Mr Okello argued that payment of taxes is constitutional and statutory duty and responsibility of every person deriving income in the country.
He further told the court that in the interest of justice and equity the respondent pays his fair share of taxes.
