Good Morning,
Something is not adding up in the recent crackdown on businesses that are allegedly not remitting taxes to Kenya Revenue Authority. Giant betting firm Sportpesa, billionaire businessman Humphrey Kariuki and now Keroche Breweries are said to owe the taxman billions of money.
Ironically, Sportpesa was named as the country’s top taxpayer for three consecutive years between 2016 and 2017. But in May this year, KRA said the company owes them taxes amounting to Ksh14 billion. This is one of the numerous reasons why the govt has frozen its operations.
On Wednesday, DPP Noordin Haji issued an arrest warrant for Keroche CEO Tabitha Karanja and her husband Joseph Karanja over allegations that she owes KRA Ksh14 billion in unremitted taxes.
The question is why did the taxman wait for these firms to accumulate these colossal amounts of money?
Here are the stories making headlines on Opera News:
Keroche CEO Blames Competitors
Keroche CEO Tabitha Karanja has rubbished allegations that she owes KRA Sh14 billion in unremitted tax as alleged by DPP Noordin Haji.
Tabitha said that she was a law-abiding citizen who was ready to present herself to DCI officers.”Am shocked by the new allegations levelled against me, my husband and Keroche Breweries and this is pure malice,” she said.
“This is a vendetta war launched by my competitors and am ready to face the taxman and the DPP to prove my innocence,” she said.
Ruto to face Raila in Kibra By-elections
A major face-off is expected in the Kibra by-elections as Deputy President William Ruto is plotting to field a candidate against Raila. Sources said Ruto has identified a candidate from Western Kenya to take on ODM.
At the same time, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi will front Raila’s former aide Eliud Owallo in the 7th November race. Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetangula will support ANC. Mudavadi is said to have also reached out to Kalonzo Musyoka to throw his weight behind Owallo.
Matiangí Breaks Soccer Fans’ Hearts
Soccer lovers will be forced to watch this weekend’s Arsenal versus Liverpool game indoors after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i directed all bars and entertainment spots to close at 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday to enable the country to carry out the Census 2019.
Mr Matiangi on Saturday Liverpool will be playing Arsenal. That match is bigger than Kenyan government and the census itself….if you don't allow us watch that game in clubs and go home by 9pm. Then we won't open our doors for ur people #census2019
— Iam wycliffe (@WycliffeIam) August 21, 2019
Dr Matiang’i said the early closing of bars will enable Kenyans to arrive at their homes at 6 pm in readiness for the exercise.
Interior Security Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has directed that all bars should remain closed from Saturday 5pm ahead of the Census exercise. Do you think closing bars will guarantee accurate results for the enumerators? Was this move necessary?