KRA Cracks Down on Illegally Registered Vehicles

Kenya Revenue Authority(KRA) is investigating a motor vehicle registration syndicate behind tax evasion and diversion of transit vehicles in the country.

On Wednesday, the authority cautioned the public against the use of fraudulently registered motor vehicles and those whose import duty is outstanding.

“KRA has embarked on investigations to identify the perpetrators of the fraudulent scheme, it is conscious that some of these vehicles may have been sold to innocent Kenyans who are not part of the scheme,” said Commissioner for Investigations and Enforcement, Edward Karanja.

Buyers are going for cheaply acquired vehicles from Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan to escape the 8-year rule in Kenya.

Uganda’s second-hand care age limit is at 15 years while Tanzania’s is at 10 years.

Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan have no age limits for used cars.

This year more than 30,000 used cars imported to Kenya faced a lockout on the 8-year rule.

Illegally registered vehicles have been found to be overage and are therefore prohibited imports since they do not comply with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) 8-year rule.

“Members of the public are hereby requested to verify the status of payment of customs duty of registered motor vehicles with the Kenya Revenue Authority before purchasing the same,” said Karanja.