The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has responded to reports of an employee who amassed questionable wealth over time.
In an official statement, KRA mentioned that Joseph Chege Gikonyo was interdicted on October 31, 2016, when claims of his professional misconduct were raised.
The statement signed by KRA Commissioner for Intelligence and Strategic Operations Githii Mburu revealed that Chege has been under investigation by both the EACC and KRA on issues of unexplained assets and tax evasion.
[caption caption="Joseph Chege Gikonyo"]
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“The findings on tax evasion have already been shared with the EACC to facilitate prosecution of economic crimes in addition to the recovery of the taxes by the KRA.
“Violations of other aspects of the KRA code of conduct including conflicts of interest are currently under the KRA disciplinary process," the response read in part.
Detectives have stated that Gikonyo has Ksh615 Million worth of unexplained wealth despite earning Ksh45 Million over the years he’d been in public service in salaries and bonuses from his tea farming.
He has registered property in parts of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties valued at Sh355 million and cash deposits of at least Sh399 million in various accounts.
On Friday, EACC filed an application to have Mr Gikonyo’s accounts frozen after he declared assets valued at Sh65 Million and could not make known his other sources of income.
“During the period under investigation, the defendant's known sources of income were cumulative salaries totaling Sh14 million, proceeds from sale of tea totaling Sh4 million, profit from sale of property of Sh21 million and cumulative sacco loans of Sh5 million,” EACC told the court.
Scrutiny of his mobile phone number showed he had received a total of Ksh43, 913,116 through mobile money transfers sent to him by directors and managers of clearing and forwarding companies.
[caption caption="Integrity Centre "]
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