Several rolls of counterfeit excise stamps were also destroyed.
KRA impounded the products during various operations carried out in collaboration with the multi-agency team.
This team, established by the President in May 2018, is responsible for combating illicit trade.
It consists of various government agencies including the Office of the President, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), NACADA, and the Department of Public Health.
Illicit trade not only causes unfair competition to legally trading products in the market but also poses potential health hazards to unsuspecting consumers.
Illicit trade and contraband goods are also harmful to the economy as they lead to loss of government revenue through tax evasion.
THE STANDARD
BUSINESS
Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) for the National Treasury and Planning Nelson Gaichuhie. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]
The National Treasury has made a U-turn on its plan to increase taxes on imported furniture, measures aimed at growing local industries.
Treasury had last year said it supported a Bill to amend the Excise Duty Act and impose a 30 per cent excise tax on imported furniture.
The Bill by Kiambu MP Jude Njomo is expected to promote the local furniture industry.
In its submission to Parliament last October, Treasury had argued that as long as the Bill protected domestic products, it would support it. It has since changed tune, saying import duty charged on furniture entering the country was enough to protect the local operators.
Parliament Drops OTT Tax, Approves 12% Tax on Mobile Data
Ugandan parliament approves the 12 percent tax on mobile data with exemption for medical and education services.
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Pictured a person using internet bundles to access a web page on Google on a mobile phone. (Photo by: Humphrey Mpairwe)
The Parliament on Thursday came to an agreement to drop the tax on Over-the-Top services (OTT), approving the 12 percent tax on mobile data. Internet bundles used for medical and education services will be exempted in other words, won’t be charge the 12 percent levy.
With the tax approved, this could see an increase in the cost of mobile data. However, in 2019 Hon. Frank Tumwebaze who by then was the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, said, “With or Without OTT tax, the cost of mobile data will remain high.” Stating that removing the levy on OTT services alone won’t influence data prices.