BY SAM ALFAN.
Director of Criminal Investigation George Kinoti have filed an application seeking to detain 38 Kenya Revenue officials arrested on Friday for 21 days to complete investigations in alleged tax evasion.
In affidavit by Inspector Arthur Onyango, Kinoti says that investigations are not complete and he need the three weeks to enable them complete comprehensive investigations into the case.
“A team of investigators require to ensure that all digital footprints of all the respondents and associates who were at large and it is important to be detained to enable detailed criminal inquiries or investigations to be carried out”, says Onyango.
The police further wants the officials detained by DCI Investigations Bureau custody for a period of 21 days in appropriate police station within Nairobi.
The officer says that the suspects were arrested on May 10, 2019 at Kenya Revenue Authority domestic taxes Department and customs border control department l
Through senior assistant director of public prosecution Duncan Ondimu the police said during the arrest , their respective Mobile phones , laptops and other electronic gadgets and equipment in their possession were seized and are yet yet to be subjected for forensic examination and reports obtained.
According to court papers, the DCI boss opened a inquiry No. 102 of 2019 in relation to commission of criminal offences being committed by the KRA staff and a number of tax payers.
Among those DCI wants to detain are two assistant manager Salome Atieno Rambo and Grace Katumbi Muinde,supervisors Grace Achieng Okuku , Augustine Saka Were, Margaret Jepkoskei Sangoi , Christopher Onondi among others.
A team of investigators have so far obtained court order to obtain subscriber details ,line history , IMEI history, text messages and call data records for the period of July 1,2017 to May 9,2019.
Among offences that DCI is investigating include money laundering, tax evasion, abuse of office,neglect of duty among others.
The detective told the court that investigation are complex and requires analysis in respect to over one hundreds and seventy eight Mobile phone numbers and Mpesa statements of the suspects.
“The evidence so far gathered and credible intelligence so far received show that the respondents were actively involved and colluded with certain taxpayers in a criminal enterprise to evade payment of taxes and reduce liability”, said investigative officer.
He further said 48 associate of the respondents are still at large and are being pursued by security services.
