KRA releases new measures against illicit brew

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a raft of new guidelines targeting local ethanol traders and spirit manufacturers.

The measures, jointly outlined by the KRA commissioner of domestic taxes, Alice Owuor and her customs & border control counterpart, Julius Musyoki, are geared at supporting ongoing initiatives’ to curb the illicit production and consumption of spirit based alcoholic beverages.

Traders intending to acquire ethanol shall now provide quarterly usage projections to KRA before being allowed to import the product.

Transportation of the commodity will also be strictly controlled through electronic cargo tracking fitted vehicles.

This comes against the backdrop of a countrywide crackdown on illicit and second-generation brews that was initiated by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ban on second-generation brews.

Speaking at a recent function, President Kenyatta reiterated that the crackdown on illegal liquor will not stop until the menace has been eradicated.

Speaking at the burial of Ayub Kariuki, who is the father of Deputy State House Comptroller George Kariuki, Uhuru called on county governments to partner with the national government in the fight against the killer brews.

The head of state urged youths to embrace a culture of hard work as this would enable them to effectively play their role in nation building.

He added that hard work would help them lead successful lives.