Court temporarily stops KRA from seizing illegally imported cars

The High Court has issued temporary orders stopping Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) from seizing 12 high end motor vehicles over unpaid import duty until a case filed by the owners is heard and determined.

Justice Isaac Lenaola issued the injunction after the importers of the cars moved to court demanding that KRA be stopped from impounding their motor vehicles over unpaid import duty.

In the suit filed by Tripple One Motors, the trader wants KRA to be stopped from impounding, seizing or confiscating any vehicle mentioned in the notice of alleged illegally imported vehicles pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

The case will be heard on May 25th, 2016.

Three days ago, the KRA moved to court to seek warrants of arrest against vehicle owners whose cars were listed over tax disputes and failed to show up to its Support Center for verification.

Only 4 out of 124 registered owners presented their cars and documents for verification.

The commissioner for the  Investigation and Enforcement Githii Mburu and his team were at the Railway Club in Nairobi where vehicle owners were required to present their vehicles together with the original ownership, transfer and importation documents.

The Kenya Revenue Authority had posted a public notice on Sunday to alert vehicle owners of the ongoing verification.

The registered owners of the 124 listed vehicles were then asked to take notice of Section 204 of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004.