MOMBASA, Kenya — The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has halted proceedings in a case involving Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officers and businessmen accused of evading more than Sh123 million in taxes through irregular rice imports.
The suspects appeared before a Mombasa court on Thursday but did not take a plea after the prosecution informed the court that the case file had been recalled for review.
The trial court deferred plea-taking until the ODPP completes its assessment, which will determine whether the charges will proceed or be withdrawn.
Court records show the accused faces multiple counts, including unlawfully interfering with goods under customs control, neglect of official duty, and conspiracy to breach customs laws.
Those charged include Abdiaziz Moge, Golden Freight Services Limited, Diana Chepngeno, Samson Mwanzanje Gogo, and Nickson Charo Mwashangi.
According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly handled 18 containers of imported rice at the Boss Freight Container Terminal in Mombasa on August 14, 2025, without complying with customs procedures.
Prosecutors allege that the group unlawfully released the containers before customs entries were lodged and before the applicable taxes and duties were paid.
The accused are also alleged to have transferred cargo between 20 containers on August 11 and 12, 2025, without authorisation from the Commissioner of Customs.
Further charges state that between August 11 and 14, 2025, the suspects conspired to release the rice consignments without lodging customs entries or remitting the required import duties, resulting in significant revenue loss to the State.
The ODPP said the ongoing review will assess the sufficiency of evidence and procedural compliance before deciding whether the case will proceed to trial.
The matter underscores continued scrutiny of customs operations at the Port of Mombasa, where tax evasion schemes involving collusion between public officers and private actors have remained a persistent enforcement challenge.
The case will be mentioned for further directions once the ODPP concludes its review.
