NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 10 – Swiss supplier of tax stamps SICPA Security Solutions SA has denounced corruption allegations levelled against it by the Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, terming them erroneous and malicious.
In a statement, the firm said the claims are meant to destroy its reputation in the country.
“We write in exercise of SICPA SA’s right of reply over media reports emanating from a press statement on January 31st, 2023, under the heading ‘The Makings of a Kshs 160 billion “Stamp-Gate” Scandal’ attributed to Honorable Leader of the Minority party,” SICPA says.
“Both the statement and the ensuing reports contain serious allegations that are untrue and a significant number of gross and avoidable errors that are seriously detrimental to SICPA’s reputation and could be qualified as defamatory.”
Wandayi early this week called for an official audit on the Excisable Goods Management System (EGMS), which has been operated by SICPA since 2011.
He claimed that SICPA SA made a profit of Sh64 billion in just five years under the terms of a contract mired in secrecy.
However, SICPA says its contract with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is within the confines of the law.
It also adds that its contract with the taxman supports the fight against fraud and illicit trade.
“On the whole the subject report and the subsequent media coverage is wholly incorrect, and with malicious intent clearly meant to undermine and besmirch SICPA SA’s reputation,” SICPA said.
“By this reply therefore, SICPA SA refutes the malicious allegations made against the organization.”
