Tax evasion: 38 KRA officials detained for 14 days

38 KRA suspects who arrested over the weekend have been detained for a period of 14 days to allow police conclude investigations.

Senior Resident Magistrate Paul Mayova ruled that the 21 days sought by the DCI investigators were unreasonable.

The suspects will be held at Gigiri, Muthaiga and Kileleshwa police stations.

In a miscellaneous application filed in court this morning the DCI had argued that so far the investigators had obtained court orders to obtain subscribers details, text messages and call data for the period 1 July 2017 to 9 May 2019 and therefore needed time to go through the records.

“Investigations are complex and require a details analysis in respect to over 178 mobile phones numbers and Mpesa statements,” the court heard.

Inspector Arthur K Onyango further revealed that the evidence so far gathered and credible intelligence show that they were actively involved and colluded with certain tax payers in a criminal enterprise to evade payment of taxes or reduce tax liability.

He further states that 48 of the associates of the respondents are at large and are being actively persuaded by security services.