Acting Inspector General of Police Noor Gabow has today ordered a countrywide crackdown on all illegal and contraband goods including other forms of tax evasion schemes.
The order is as a result of the discovery of multiple tax evasion schemes around the nation, which prevent the government from receiving the necessary money to pay for public services.
“Regrettably, some dishonest taxpayers find ways to trick the system and avoid paying taxes, which has an impact on predicted revenue production targets,” stated Gabow.
According to Gabow, police in Kirinyaga county recently intercepted a truck headed to Nairobi carrying 1,000 cartons, each holding 20 bottles of alcohol and bearing what appeared to be fake stamps.
Gabow stated that other criminals use various strategies for tax evasion in order to deceive the government.
While the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is responsible for the revenue enforcement program, Gabow noted that the national police agency has a responsibility to respond if crimes are committed.
He further ordered all police officers across the nation to be alert in their respective jurisdictions and carry out intelligence-driven crackdown operations with a focus on thwarting all forms of tax evasion.
All commanders are instructed to communicate with the local KRA offices in their jurisdictions, and should a revenue evasion incidence be discovered, KRA officials should be alerted at once to guide inquiries to a logical conclusion.
According to Gabow, regional and county commanders should assume charge of these activities and work with KRA as needed.
“We are therefore reminded of our general law enforcement mandate under the Penal Code the National Police Service act the prevention of organised crime act and other subsisting laws including the service standing orders,” he stated.
