NAIROBI, Kenya- Two company directors have been charged with tax fraud over alleged false VAT purchase claims that prosecutors say cost the Kenya Revenue Authority Sh1,537,428.
Jefferson Wachira Gachango and Dorothy Gacheri Kimathi appeared before Milimani Principal Magistrate P.K. Mutai.
The prosecution alleges they made incorrect statements in their VAT returns by claiming purchases from suppliers that they knew were false.
Gachango is accused of claiming purchases worth Sh3,329,145 from Adsem General Supplies in July 2022, allegedly causing a VAT loss of Sh532,663.
He also faces a second tax fraud charge over a claimed purchase of Sh3,427,105 from Namtek Transporters, which prosecutors say resulted in a further loss of Sh548,337.
Kimathi is accused of claiming purchases worth Sh2,852,672 from Aislve Enterprises, allegedly occasioning a VAT loss of Sh456,428.
The three alleged losses total KSh1,537,428.
Gachango was released on a Sh600,000 bond or an alternative cash bail of Sh400,000.
Kimathi was granted a Sh300,000 bond or cash bail of Sh150,000.
The court issued arrest warrants for Jane Lucy Njeri, Joram Kamau and Amisi Zamda after they failed to appear.
They are expected to face charges of tax fraud and aiding the commission of tax fraud.
Henry Ateka Nyabwari, another suspect, was ordered to appear in court on Friday for plea-taking.
The DPP said it had approved six charges in connection with the case.
The prosecution was conducted by Annette Wangia, Virginia Kariuki, Kevin Nyaga and Charlotte Elly.
