BY NT CORRESPONDENT.
Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika’s husband, former KEBS Managing Directors Charles Ongwae and KRA officials have been charged with conspiracy to defraud government millions of revenue.
It is alleged that KRA officials Esther Wangui Watene , Elizabeth Nyambura Kimani, Ali Thuo Chuphi , Alex Maina Ndiritu ,Cornelius Mwanyamba Mwango, Cheruiyot Busongo , businessman Samuel Mburu Kamau (Kihika’s husband), George Hillary Kamau, Ibrahim Twahir Mohamed ,Harrison Ngige Muchiri, Ms Gendipe Enterprises ,Ms Rupai Trading Limited and Landmark Freight Services Limited between January 24 and January 29 this year in Nairobi jointly with others not before court conspired to defraud the government revenue amounting to Kshs. 50,299,158,00 by concealing import of goods of 7 containers of 40ft each containing assorted household goods and spare parts vide custom number 2018NBI1629730 which was to attract a tax of Kshs. 50,299,158,00 by falsely declaring the said goods as machinery which attracted lesser tax.
Former KEBS boss Charles Ogega Ongwae , Eric Chesire Kiptoo ,Samuel Mburu Kamau, George Hillary Kamau, Ibrahim Twahir Mohamed ,Harrison Ngige Muchiri, Ms Gendipe Enterprises ,Ms Rupai Trading Limited and Landmark Freight Services Limited are alleged to have jointly with others not before court conspiring to defraud government revenue amounting to Kshs.4.315.654.00 by unlawfully imposing a penalty of 0.5percent instead of 15 percent of total custom value on import goods arriving into the country without a certificate of cumonformly vide custom entry 2018NBI1629712contrary to legal notice number 78of 2005 dated 15 July ,2005.
Prosecution further accused Esther Wangui Watene , Elizabeth Nyambura Kimani, Ali Thuo Chuphi , Alex Maina Ndiritu ,Cornelius Mwanyamba Mwango, Cheruiyot Busongo , Samuel Mburu Kamau, George Hillary Kamau, Ibrahim Twahir Mohamed ,Harrison Ngige Muchiri, Ms Gendipe Enterprises ,Ms Rupai Trading Limited and Landmark Freight Services Limited between January 24 and January 29 this year in Nairobi jointly with others not before court conspired to defraud the government revenue amounting to Kshs. 6,028,582,00 by concealing import goods of 9 containers of 20ft each.
According to prosecution each container contained a total of 12060 of 20 litres Hayat palm olein brand of cooking all vide custom entry number 2018NB11629712 which was to attract a tax of Kshs. 6,028,582,00 by false declaring the said goods as machinery which attracted lesser tax.
Court issued summons against former KEBS CEO Charles Ogega Ongwae who failed to appear in court to plead to the charges in January. Court was told Ongwae was attending a funeral upcountry.
Another warrant was also issued against Alex Maina Nderitu who is accused of conspiring to defraud the government of Sh50 million by unlawfully concealing imported household goods and car spare parts as machinery.
They were releases on cash bail of Sh 200,000 and bond of 500,000.The matter will be mentioned on 14 January, 2019.
