Aug 1 – A truck driver and turnboy have been charged at Kisumu Law Courts with smuggling 8,750 litres of ethanol worth Sh8.4 million in tax.
Salim Otieno Ooko and Joseph Odhiambo were charged jointly before Principal Magistrate Dennis Ogal.
The two were arrested on July 23, 2025, at the Nyamasaria area along the Kisumu-Nairobi highway in Kisumu County after their lorry was found transporting 35 barrels of 250 litres each of suspected ethanol while concealed in 66 empty wooden crates.
They are facing charges of conveying and being in possession of restricted goods as well as concealment of imported goods.
All the charges are contrary to the East Africa Community Management Act, 2004, and the Excise Duty Act, 2025.
Importation of ethanol is restricted under the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004. Smuggled ethanol is mainly used in the illegal manufacture of second-generation alcoholic drinks, which pose high health risks to citizens as well as unfair trade competition.
They pleaded not guilty and were released on a bond of Sh500,000. The case will be heard on September 29, 2025.
“KRA is actively unearthing tax evasion schemes to boost tax compliance and adherence to tax laws and procedures while ensuring fair trade within the market. Taxpayers are urged to pay their taxes to avoid punitive enforcements measures that include prosecution,” the taxman announced in a statement.
