A couple, who both serve as company directors, have been charged before the Eldoret Law Courts with tax fraud amounting to Sh 177,256,830.
Wilfred Karongo Njoroge and Rosemary Wanjiru Wanjiku, directors of Wa Morgan Wholesalers Limited, jointly faced seven charges related to tax fraud. These included four counts of failure to pay income tax and Value Added Tax (VAT) for the years 2023 and 2024, totaling Sh 63,863,512. They also faced two counts of failure to submit tax returns for the same period, and one count of failure to register for VAT.
Separately, Karongo faced eleven additional charges, including failure to pay income tax and VAT amounting to Sh 113,393,043. He was also charged with ten counts of knowingly omitting to declare income subject to taxation and an additional count of failure to register for VAT while dealing with taxable supplies.
The accused appeared before Senior Resident Magistrate Kyene Odhiambo Gweno on Friday, where they denied all charges. They were released on a bond of Sh 10 million, with an alternative cash bail of Sh 1 million. The case will be mentioned on 14th April 2025. If found guilty, the accused risk a fine double the tax evaded or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, as stipulated under the Tax Procedures Act, 2015.
Meanwhile, three individuals — Shadrack Kemboi, Daniel Kipchirchir Rutto, and Phoebe Chebet — have been charged at Eldama Ravine Law Courts for offenses related to ethanol and counterfeit alcohol.
Kemboi and Rutto were jointly charged after being found in possession of 47 jerricans each containing 25 litres of ethanol. They were arrested along the Eldama Ravine–Nakuru road in Koibatek Sub-County, Baringo County, aboard motor vehicle registration number KDM 725N. Investigations revealed the goods were valued at Sh 210,337, causing a tax loss of Sh 1,482,051.
On 10th March 2025, the duo pleaded guilty before Senior Resident Magistrate Hon. Wilson Kitur. They were each fined Sh 90,000 for possession of restricted goods under Section 200(d)(ii) of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA). Additionally, Kemboi received a further fine of Sh 120,000 for conveying restricted goods contrary to Section 199(b)(iii) of the same Act. The court ordered that the ethanol be forfeited to the state and directed the registered owner of the vehicle to show cause why it should not also be forfeited. The matter is set for mention on 16th April 2025.
In a separate incident, Phoebe Chebet was arrested on 6th March 2025 at Ngeria area, Kipchamo Location in Kesses Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County. She was found with 80 bottles (250 ml each) of alcoholic beverage branded ‘Smart Vodka’ and 10 bottles of ‘Silver Star Vodka,’ all bearing counterfeit excise stamps.
Chebet pleaded guilty before Principal Magistrate Caroline Wattimah and was fined Sh 50,000 or face one year in prison in default. The court also directed that the seized goods be forfeited to the state.
