Regional importers petition Kenya govt
Jun 21, 2008
UGANDAN importers and others from the Great Lakes region have petitioned the Kenya government over the decision by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to ban the transshipment of cargo from Malaba Railway Station onto the trucks.
By Reuben Olita
in Malaba
UGANDAN importers and others from the Great Lakes region have petitioned the Kenya government over the decision by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to ban the transshipment of cargo from Malaba Railway Station onto the trucks.
Importers from Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the DR Congo on Wednesday jammed the Kenya customs offices at Malaba to protest what they termed “intimidation by KRA officials.â€
Addressing journalists at the customs yard, the irritated importers wondered why KRA had slapped such a ban without notice, adding that they had dispatched some of their representatives to Nairobi to petition the transport ministry over the latest development.
Flanked by clearing agents from Malaba, Uganda, the importers said they were forced to pay Ksh14,000 (about sh364,000) storage charges since the rail cargo arrived at the border town over two weeks ago. “KRA insists the cargo has to proceed by rail,†they complained.
The decision to slap a ban on transshipment followed an order issued by KRA commissioner, Rose Namu, after she toured the Malaba yard last week.
Explaining the reason to ban any transshipment of rail cargo, a KRA official at Malaba disclosed that the move was aimed at avoiding risks of goods being diverted into the local market.
The official said the ban was also aimed at trailing audits.
in Malaba
UGANDAN importers and others from the Great Lakes region have petitioned the Kenya government over the decision by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to ban the transshipment of cargo from Malaba Railway Station onto the trucks.
Importers from Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and the DR Congo on Wednesday jammed the Kenya customs offices at Malaba to protest what they termed “intimidation by KRA officials.â€
Addressing journalists at the customs yard, the irritated importers wondered why KRA had slapped such a ban without notice, adding that they had dispatched some of their representatives to Nairobi to petition the transport ministry over the latest development.
Flanked by clearing agents from Malaba, Uganda, the importers said they were forced to pay Ksh14,000 (about sh364,000) storage charges since the rail cargo arrived at the border town over two weeks ago. “KRA insists the cargo has to proceed by rail,†they complained.
The decision to slap a ban on transshipment followed an order issued by KRA commissioner, Rose Namu, after she toured the Malaba yard last week.
Explaining the reason to ban any transshipment of rail cargo, a KRA official at Malaba disclosed that the move was aimed at avoiding risks of goods being diverted into the local market.
The official said the ban was also aimed at trailing audits.