The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has arrested a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) official over allegations of soliciting a bribe to clear a company’s tax arrears.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

EACC confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke on Tuesday, September 15, that the officer works in the Debt Refunds Department at KRA’s Kisumu office, which handles tax clearance matters.

The officer is accused of demanding Ksh100,000 from a construction company in exchange for clearing its tax arrears from the iTax system and helping it obtain a Tax Compliance Certificate.

EACC said the company’s tax arrears initially stood at Ksh4.5 million before the amount was later reduced to Ksh142,230, raising concerns over how the figures were being handled.

📌 What You Need to Know

Initially, the company’s tax arrears were indicated as Ksh4.5 million before the amount was later revised to Ksh142,230, according to EACC.

Despite the revised figure, the officer allegedly demanded Ksh100,000 to have the outstanding amount completely removed from the iTax system.

“The tax arrears, initially indicated at Ksh4,500,000, were later revised to Ksh142,230. The officer allegedly demanded Ksh100,000 to completely wipe out the outstanding tax arrears from the iTax system,” EACC stated.

EACC said the complainant negotiated with the officer over the amount, eventually reaching an agreement for a lower sum.

The officer allegedly agreed to accept Ksh30,000, which was later handed over to him as EACC detectives monitored the transaction.

The detectives arrested the officer shortly after he allegedly received the cash and recovered the money as part of the investigation.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke