Traders charged over fake excise tax stamps amounting Sh2.6mn

NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 9-Six traders have been separately charged with offences relating to possession of counterfeit excise stamps amounting to Sh2.6 million.

Geoffrey Thuranira, Moses Njeru Kimwere and Purity Kanario were separately charged with being in possession of excisable goods affixed with counterfeit excise stamps contrary to the provisions of Excise Duty Act Regulations.

Joseph Gitonga M’mukindia & Stephen Ndegwa Gikonyo were jointly charged with similar offences.

Miriam Cheptoo also faced a similar charge and two other counts of being in possession of prohibited goods and being in possession of uncustomed goods.

Thuranira was arrested on December 15 2021 at Kambi Ya Juu area in Isiolo Central Sub County, Isiolo County while in possession of 20, 000 bottles of Trace Vodka, all affixed with counterfeit excise stamps, with a tax implication of Sh1.32million

At Kula Mawe within the same County, Kimwere was arrested after he was found in possession of various brands of liquor affixed with counterfeit excise stamps whereas Kanairo was arrested within Mutuati market in Meru County after she was found in possession of 200 bottles of Smart vodka affixed with counterfeit excise stamps.

M’mukindia & Gikonyo were found in possession of 19,312 bottles of Blended Vodka all affixed with counterfeit excise stamps in Githunguri area in Meru County with a tax implication of Sh1.34million.

Cheptoo was arrested on December 10 2021 in Kapsabet Town within Nandi County at her shop Dombo Stockist after she was found in possession of various brand of alcohol all affixed with counterfeit excise stamps and 12,900 sticks of uncustomed Super Match cigarettes meant for export.

All the accused persons were released on bond and bail. If found guilty, they will be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both.