Four Ugandans write to KRA, demand release of 7 vehicles at Mombasa Port

Two senior Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials and a port manager risk being cited for contempt of court for failure to release motor vehicles allegedly belonging to four Ugandan nationals.

When reached for comment, KRA Commissioner Legal Services Paul Matuku referred us to the office of the commissioner for marketing and communications.

“KRA is so big, that is the docket of commissioner customs and so I might not be aware about it,” Matuku said.

He could not also confirm nor deny receiving any letter from the lawyer representing the applicants.

“I don’t receive such a letter,” he said.

The three are under the spotlight for allegedly frustrating efforts to have the seven vehicles shipped into the country in November last year through the Mombasa Port released to the owners.

This is, in spite of a court order issued by a Mombasa court on March 18.

In the orders, the court directed the head of Interpol Kenya through the Inspector General and the Director of Criminal Investigation to release the vehicles as they had no criminal liability.

“That, an order be and is hereby issued directing the respondents by themselves and all other relevant state agencies involved to clear and release the motor vehicles unconditionally to their applicants or their agents,” the orders reads.

KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto could not be reached for a comment on the matter as his phone remained switched off.

The case was filed by Abbery Sareko, Shafiq Mubarak, Anolnd Kafeko and Robert Musisi who are the owners of the vehicles.

The applicants through their lawyers have now written to the KRA demanding the immediate release of the motor vehicles.

“…We have been retained with instructions to write to you and request as follows, that our clients are the legal and beneficial owners of the motor vehicles hereunder,” the letter dated June 6, 2024, reads in part.

It has also been addressed to the KRA commissioner for legal service and the chief manager in charge of operations at Kilindini.

Kilindini is the main part of the port of Mombasa, the only international seaport in Kenya and the biggest port in East Africa.

The Mombasa port serves as a crucial gateway for landlocked countries like Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan.

This dependency is primarily due to the lack of direct access to the sea, making ports in neighbouring countries vital for importing and exporting goods.

The efficiency and capacity of such ports directly impact the economies of these reliant nations, influencing trade costs, delivery times, and overall economic growth.