The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Kenya has sanctioned prosecutions against multiple individuals and companies implicated in extensive tax fraud schemes. The charges, spanning several years and involving tens of millions of Kenyan Shillings, mark a significant step in the government’s efforts to combat tax evasion.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) announced today that it has approved prosecutions against various individuals and companies for serious violations of tax laws. This decisive action comes after thorough investigations revealed a series of fraudulent activities aimed at evading tax liabilities amounting to hundreds of millions of Kenyan Shillings.
Benson Otieno Kisero and Eunice Opili Likuyani of Wise Pick Trading Limited
These individuals, along with their company, face three counts of fraud under the Tax Procedures Act. The charges include filing false purchases between January 20, 2022, and July 20, 2023, which reduced their VAT liability by a total of KES 104,083,471. Specifically, the fraudulent activities involved fake purchases amounting to KES 630,722,929.
Jemimah Nasiche and Priteria Limited
Nasiche and her company are charged with filing false purchases between May 20, 2020, and January 20, 2023, reducing their VAT liability by KES 24,694,189 through fake purchases amounting to KES 154,338,678.
Thomas Githangi Kanyyi
Kanyyi is charged with multiple counts of failing to declare income and pay VAT from 2016 to 2020. His actions resulted in a loss of KES 22,307,370 in income tax and an additional KES 11,257,554 in unpaid VAT.
Annastasia Wangui Ng’ang’a
Ng’ang’a faces charges for not declaring income and failing to register for VAT from 2016 to 2018. Her fraudulent activities led to a total loss of KES 44,945,287 to the Commissioner of Income Tax.
Michael Wafula Obunde, Geo Freight Forwarders Ltd, Jesse Michael Muganda, and Christopher Odongo Asoka
These individuals and the company are charged with making false entries in customs documentation between July 13, 2003, and August 24, 2023. They are accused of using the KRA PIN of Di Lorenzo Limited to falsely declare exports.
Joseph Ndungu Guchecha, Ramadhan Kariuki Gitau, Edwin Wanjala Barasa, Florence Wanjiku Muiruri, Moses Boyi Odhiambo, Francis Kyalo Mwandandu, and Daniel Ngugi
This group faces three counts related to the theft of 1,511 bags of condemned powdered milk, each weighing 25 kg, which were under customs control and seized for destruction.
The DPP emphasized that all alternatives to prosecution had been considered before these charges were approved. The ODPP’s Public Affairs and Corporate Communications Division assured the public that enforcement measures would be carried out humanely and justly. The press statement reads, “The DPP wishes to assure the public and taxpayers that all enforcement measures undertaken shall continue to be humane and just.
