Mr John Njiraini, KRA commissioner-general. PHOTO | FILE
MPs have sent away the Kenya Revenue Authority
Commissioner-General John Njiraini after failing to table documents on
the procurement of Sh17 billion e-tax stamps.
Mr
Njiraini irked the Public Investments Committee (PIC) when he said the
case on the implementation of the Excisable Goods Management System
(EGMS) is in court.
“Your responses are unacceptable
and you cannot hide behind court to avoid answering our questions. I
therefore rule that this has been a waste of taxpayers’ money and
therefore this matter cannot proceed.
"These proceedings stand adjourned and you are dismissed,” Abdulswamad Nassir, the PIC chairman ruled.
Mr Njiraini said he will provide documents showing that the EGMS
matter is in court but the committee directed him to table all
documents by close of business next Wednesday.
'Not signed'
“Your
response is unacceptable because it has not been signed. We want
necessary signatures to accompany certified copies,” Mr Nassir said.
Mr Njiraini had been summoned to answer questions
raised by Auditor-General Edward Ouko on the special audit report on
the procurement of the EGMS system that KRA awarded a Swiss firm, SICPA,
SA through single-sourcing.
The High Court two weeks
ago quashed the tender and declared the planned levying of excise duty
on bottled water, juices, soda, other non-alcoholic beverages and
cosmetics unconstitutional, offering consumers relief from a price
increment.
The court found that the KRA and the
National Treasury had not complied with the requirement of public
participation and did not involve stakeholders before rolling out the
tax.
The taxman was expected to collect at least Sh3.6 billion in revenue from the tax annually.
KRA
was to roll out the new tax, which required manufacturers and importers
to affix the new generation excise stamps on bottled water, juices,
soda, energy drinks, other non-alcoholic beverages, food supplements and
cosmetics from November 1.
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