This archive report was first published on 16 September 2019.
On September 16, 2019, a woman was arrested at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for allegedly importing Ksh.1.8 million worth of fake excise stamps from China.
Appearing before a Nairobi court on Monday, Jane Muthoni Gichengo pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a Ksh.2 million cash bail or a Ksh.3 million bond.
The court heard that on April 26, 2019, the accused imported Ksh.900,000 worth of counterfeit ready-to-drink excise duty stamps and Ksh.960,000 worth of counterfeit spirits excise duty stamps, which were concealed as labeling stickers.
According to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Ms. Muthoni is suspected to be part of a criminal network that manufactures excise stamps in China and consigns them to Kenya under concealment.
“The stamps are then distributed through a local cartel to alcohol manufacturers and distributors, facilitating non-payment of lawful taxes to the government,” said the taxman.
