KRA warns Kenyans against fraudulently registered motor vehicles

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has raised the alarm on the rising use of fraudulently registered motor vehicles including those whose import duty has not been paid.

The taxman has subsequently cast its net to arrest the vice perpetrated as a scheme by criminal elements.

“KRA has embarked on investigations to identify perpetrators of the fraudulent scheme, it is conscious that some of these vehicles may have been sold to innocent Kenyans who are not part of the scheme,” said KRA Acting Commissioner for Investigations and Enforcement Edward Karanja.

Karanja noted that that irregularly registered motor vehicles are of old age and are part of imports surpassing the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) eight-year rule.

Moreover, part of the vehicles under probe have been cited in the transportation of prohibited and un-costumed goods.

Subsequent to the caution, KRA has asked Kenyans to confirm the status of vehicles they intend to purchase with its offices or risk consequences attached to the possession of illegitimate motors.

“Members of the public are hereby requested to verify the status of payment of custom duty of registered motor vehicles with the Kenya Revenue Authority before purchasing the same,” added Karanja.

Persons committing the offence of holding the felonious vehicles are liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine equal to fifty percent of the dutiable value involved.