A Kisumu businessman was on Thursday charged with five counts of tax evasion amounting to more than Sh4.7 million, in a case that demonstrates intensified efforts by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to clamp down on tax cheats.
Stephen Odhiambo Juma, a director at Sese Fish Packers Limited, was accused of failing to pay income taxes despite surpassing the taxable supply threshold of Sh5 million, and failing to file tax returns as required by law.
According to the charge sheet, Odhiambo is alleged to have failed to remit Sh2,779,307 in income tax for the year 2022 and an additional Sh1,926,886 for 2023.
He also faced separate counts of failing to register for VAT and failing to submit mandatory tax returns, both offences under the Tax Procedures Act, 2015, and the Value Added Tax Act.
Odhiambo denied all charges when he appeared before Senior Principal Magistrate Millicent Nyigei and was released on a Sh1 million bond pending trial.
The matter will be mentioned on December 4, 2025.
If convicted, he risks a fine of up to Sh10 million, or double the amount of taxes evaded, whichever is higher, or a jail term not exceeding five years.
By Chris Mahandara
