January 25, 2016
Sugaronline | http://goo.gl/pzcYKh
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday witnessed the initial stages of the destruction of illegally imported sugar, rice and ethanol worth some KES400 million (US$3.9 million), reports Sugaronline.
The President was present at the torching of the first few barrels containing ethanol, kicking of the burning of 64 containers of ethanol valued at KES288 million, 39 containers of sugar valued at KES56 million as well as 50 containers of condemned rice that is unfit for human consumption and has no commercial value.
President Kenyatta was accompanied by Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General John Njiraini and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission CEO Halakhe Waqo to the Mwakirunge dumpsite to witness the destruction of the contraband goods.
Njiraini said destruction of the illegally imported ethanol, sugar and rice sends a stern warning to persons perpetrating fraud in Customs processes and those who collaborate with them.
"We have heightened surveillance and will arrest and prosecute those involved in tax evasion and other economic crimes," Njiraini said.
Addressing Mishomoroni residents on his way from the dumpsite, President Kenyatta said the Government will not allow unscrupulous people to deny the country revenue through illegal importation of goods.
"The Government will see to it that this business of importing contraband goods stops and those involved prosecuted," President Kenyatta said.
Noting the poor state of the Kengeleni-Mishomoroni-Mwakirunge road, President Kenyatta said he will initiate steps that will see the road is improved.