Controversial airport buses were smuggled, says new boss

The Apron buses that were used to shuttle passengers from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) were smuggled into the country.

This is according to the Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director Kevin Kihara who says taxes were not paid to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) during their importation.

Speaking to the National Assembly Transport Committee, Kihara added that the former KAA Managing Director Lucy Mbugua did not get authorization from the board in the first place  to continue with the project.

According to the Kenya Revenue Authority, for one to clear a vehicle through Kenyan Customs, an importer has to contract a licensed clearing agent to process their declaration, pay the required duties and taxes and present all relevant documentations for customs to pass entry.

Kihara had been summoned by the committee to shed light on KAA’s procurement of the five Apron buses that were costing Ksh 11 million per month after Ms Mbugua was suspended by the board on Saturday alongside two other officials, John Thumbi-General Manager in charge of finance and Christopher Warutere-acting airport engineer.

The buses attracted public attention after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered for investigations into the huge sums paid by KAA to lease the buses.