- This follows the move by the Kenya Revenue Authority to tax imported goods whether new or used.
- According to KRA, category A includes all passengers on first arrival who are bona fide changing their residences to Kenya.
Image: FILE
Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot now wants the National Assembly Finance Committee to clarify the taxation of imported commercial ventures and personal items.
This follows a directive by the Kenya Revenue Authority to tax imported goods whether new or used.
"All goods whether new or used, are subject to taxation. However different passenger categories have different concessions and entitlements," KRA statement reads.
In a statement on Tuesday, Cheruiyot said the committee should intervene to avert shame during the search at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
"The National Assembly Finance committee holds the key to alleviating the national shame that is the KRA searches at JKIA," he said.
"By providing the necessary clarity needed to distinguish goods for a commercial venture and personal items."
According to KRA, category A includes all passengers on first arrival who are bona fide changing their residences to Kenya whether as missionaries, military personnel or Aid Agencies or to take up appointments in commerce or industry.
It also includes diplomats, students and other persons resident in Kenya but who have resided outside Kenya for a period long enough as prescribed to enable them to comply with the conditions prescribed in Parts A and B of the Fifth Schedule of EACCMA.
The entitlements include wearing apparel, personal and household effects of any kind which were in his personal or household use in his former place of residence, one motor vehicle, which the passenger has personally owned and used outside a Partner State for at least twelve months (excluding the period of the voyage in the case of shipment).
Category B are bona fide tourists and visitors to Kenya for periods not exceeding three months.
KRA said that category B includes not only tourists but also temporary businesses and other visitors.
"Kenya government has directed that every reasonable facility is to be given to such passengers in the interests of the tourist industry," the statement read.
The entitlements include non-consumable goods imported for personal use during the visit which they intend to take out with them when they leave at the end of the visit.
They also include consumable provisions and non-alcoholic beverages in such quantities and of such kinds as are consistent with the visit.
Others are goods imported by a returning resident being an employee of an international organization the headquarters of which are in a Partner State and who has been recalled for consultations at the headquarters.
In Category C, all returning Kenyan residents and passengers are not included in Categories A and B.
The entitlement includes wearing apparel and personal and household effects which have been in his personal use or household use.