KRA Goes After Kamlesh Pattni's Ksh2.2 Billion

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is seeking to seize and auction property owned by a controversial pastor over unpaid levies of Ksh 2.2 billion.

The tax body has already hired Keysian Auctioneers to auction office furniture and fittings owned by Kamlesh Pattni’s Diplomatic Duty Free Limited over taxes of Ksh 784 million and penalties amounting to Ksh 1.459 billion.

Documents filed in court show that on 9 July, the auctioneers raided a duty-free shop in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and secured several office furniture and fittings.

Even though the property was not valued immediately, Keysian Auctioneers hoped to make Ksh 88.3 million.

The raided shop was under the name Suzan General Trading JLT, which is also associated with Pattni.

Diplomatic Duty Free limited ran duty-free shops at JKIA until 2013 when the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) repossessed the space.

The tax evasion dates back to the same year and relate to alcoholic drinks which Diplomatic Duty Free had in its stores before being evicted from the international airport.

KRA debt enforcement manager Asha K Salim wrote to the businessman on July 9, demanding payment of the taxes and penalties, failure to which would lead to enforcement.

Pattni converted from Hinduism to Christianity in 2013 and has since been a pastor in Hope International church.

He unsuccessfully contested for the Westlands Parliamentary seat in 2007 and 2013 general election under Kenya National Democratic Alliance Party (KNDAP).

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