- The applicants have written to the KRA commissioner in charge of investigation and enforcement.
- When reached for comment, KRA Commissioner Legal Services Paul Matuku referred us to the office of the commissioner for marketing and communications.
Image: CHARLES MGHENYI/File
Four Ugandan nationals now wants the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and ports authority compelled to release motor vehicles allegedly being held at the Mombasa port.
The two agencies, according to the four, have continued to frustrate the efforts to have the seven vehicles released to them despite a court order.
When reached for comment, KRA Commissioner Legal Services Paul Matuku referred us to the office of the commissioner for marketing and communications.
"KRA is so big, that is the docket of commissioner customs and so I might not be aware about it," Matuku said.
He could not also confirm nor deny receiving any letter from the lawyer representing the applicants.
"I don't remember receiving such a letter," he said.
Documents in our possession shows that the seven vehicles were shipped into the country through the Port and were destined to Uganda.
The Mombasa court issued the orders on March 18 directing the head of Interpol Kenya through the Inspector General and the Director of Criminal Investigation to release the vehicles as they had no criminal liability.
“That, an order be and is hereby issued directing the respondents by themselves and all other relevant state agencies involved to clear and release the motor vehicles unconditionally to their applicants or their agents,” the orders reads in part.
The case was filed by Abbery Sareko, Shafiq Mubarak, Anolnd Kafeko and Robert Musisi.
Commanding officer Interpol Mombasa through the Inspector General of police and Director of criminal investigations were listed as first and second respondents.
In the letters dated June 6, the applicants through their lawyer wrote to KRA commissioner for legal services and chief manager in charge of ports operations at Kilindini demanding the immediate release of the motor vehicles.
KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto could not also be reached for a comment on the matter as his phone remained switched off.
“...We have been retained with instructions to write to you and request as follows, that our clients are the legal and beneficial owners of the motor vehicles hereunder,” the letter dated June 6, 2024, reads in part.
Kilindini is the main part of the port of Mombasa, the only international seaport in Kenya and the biggest port in East Africa.
The Mombasa port serves as a crucial gateway for landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.
This dependency is primarily due to the lack of direct access to the sea, making ports in neighbouring countries vital for importing and exporting goods.
The efficiency and capacity of such ports directly impact the economies of these reliant nations, influencing trade costs, delivery times, and overall economic growth.