NYERI, Kenya – A businessman has been charged before the Nyeri Law Courts over an alleged KES 130 million tax fraud scheme, in a case that highlights the ongoing crackdown on tax evasion by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
According to a press release issued by KRA on Wednesday, Anthony Waweru Macharia was arraigned and charged with 12 counts of deliberately failing to declare true income in his tax returns between 2019 and 2024. The charges were brought under Section 97(c) as read together with Section 104(3) of the Tax Procedures Act.
The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges before the court and was remanded for seven days pending the preparation of a pre-bail report that will guide the court in determining appropriate bond terms.
KRA noted that Kenya’s self-assessment tax system requires all taxpayers to accurately declare their income and pay taxes due within the stipulated timelines.
“The offence attracts a penalty of KES 10 million or double the amount of tax evaded — whichever is higher — or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both, if found guilty by a court of law,” the authority stated.
In a separate matter, another suspect, Peter Mugambi John, was charged before the Meru Law Courts with possession of excisable goods affixed with counterfeit excise stamps.
Investigators said the accused was found with 1,900 bottles of Supa Vodka, each measuring 250ml, bearing counterfeit excise stamps at Muriri Centre in Meru County on January 19, 2026. The goods carried an estimated tax value of KES 190,000.
KRA said its Investigations and Enforcement Department will continue intensifying operations aimed at detecting and deterring tax evasion, illicit trade, smuggling, and other forms of revenue leakage.
The authority also urged members of the public to report suspected cases of tax fraud and smuggling through its whistleblower channels, assuring informants of strict confidentiality and protection of identity.
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