KRA seeks to impound two luxury armoured vehicles

The firm claims that despite paying the duty demanded by KRA, the taxman has threatened to impound the two vehicles which are intended for personal use of the firm’s chief executive.

It holds that it paid over $160,400 (Sh14.4 million) for the vehicles.

“Java Investment is the owner of the vehicles, model B6 armoured Toyota Land Cruiser VX. Apart from the revenue payment, Java incurred additional costs of more than $202,096 (Sh18.1 million). The motor vehicles are for the personal use of Java Investment’s chief executive officer,” the firm said.

The firm holds that KRA demanded tax totalling over Sh28 million, and that it duly complied with the payments.

Responses

Justice George Odunga directed Java Investments to serve the KRA with the suit papers, alongside the Inspector General of Police, who has also been sued so that they can file their respective responses.

Java Investment wants Justice Odunga to bar KRA and the police from impounding the two vehicles and from continuing the alleged investigations into the importation and clearance of the cars.

KRA officers allegedly visited Java Investment’s offices under the guise of wanting to re-inspect the vehicles, but upon entry to the premises said that they had been sent to take the armored cars into the taxman’s custody.

Some of the officers were later introduced as police officers.

“We declined to release the motor vehicles as demanded since the said persons did not have any documentation to show the nature and authenticity of their instructions,” said Boniface Nginyo, Java Investment’s security manager.

Java has in its court application said that the taxman’s acts are propelled by malice as, it says, KRA officers tried to gain access to the armoured vehicles using trickery which is evidence of foul play.

It claims the KRA officers intend to impound the vehicles indefinitely.