The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), on Thursday, released a statement after outrage online over the order of arrest of Keroche Breweries owners Tabitha and Joseph Karanja.
The organisation made it clear that it was carrying out its mandate to ensure every person was paying their fair share and wasn't targetting any individual or business.
"Kenyans should reject the narrative that KRA is fighting any individual or business. On the contrary, KRA has the additional responsibility of trade facilitation under which we support a business environment that is conducive for the growth of business, which further results in increased taxes.
KRA further called on those who had not been complying with the law and not paying their rightful share of taxes to present themselves and make the necessary payments.
"We encourage them to liaise with KRA offices and services centres countrywide. KRA is committed to guiding them in the process of determination and payment of taxes for the greater good of our country," the organisation added.
The institution held that it was determined to pursue those who have deliberately chosen to evade taxes through various practices including, Failure to disclose fully the income they have earned, mis-statement of expenses to reduce the taxable income and therefore evade taxes, failure to pay the correct import taxes through concealment of goods, mis-declarations and undervaluation among other schemes; failure to withhold and remit taxes as required by law and any other non-complainces with tax laws.
The statement came about after the entrepreneur cried out to the government over the allegations that she termed as baseless and meant to malign her.
She expressed shock that she only learnt of the warrant of arrest on WhatsApp and thought of it as fake news until some of her financiers brought it to her attention.
Several leaders and Kenyan alike have come to the defence of the Keroche industries proprietors.
Nakuru governor Lee Kinyanjui defended the company describing it a huge job provider in the country.
"We are greatly saddened by the manner in which KRA is treating local investors and in particular how they have treated the Keroche Industries Limited," he stated.
Murkomen divulged that, in order to save the country's face, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) should look for alternative means to settle scores with suspects of tax evasion cases.
Whereas tax evasion is a serious crime and considering our economic situation and high rate of unemployment I urge KRA to negotiate a repayment plan for evaded taxes with Keroche and Humphrey Kariuki instead of criminal enforcement," argued Murkomen.
Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi opined, "Justice for dynasties. The law is for hustlers. Humphrey Kariuki and Tabitha Karanja are hustlers are made it. They must face the dirty law, not justice."
