Five suspects have been charged at the Naivasha law courts and with four counts of Customs offences including that of diverting goods from a transit route.
The accused persons; Hudson Chivini Alukumu, David Murimi Mugo, James Maina Kamau, Charles Mathenge Wamugunda and Albunus Kyalo Malonza faced counts of removal of customs seal, being in possession of unaccustomed goods, interfering with goods subject to customs control and diverting from a transit route. The offences are contrary to sections of East Africa Community Customs Act, regulations. The first accused person, Hudson Chivini removed the connecting cable of customs seal from the truck ferrying the consignment of 560 bags of sugar weighing 50kilograms each branded Kakira Light Brown Sugar. The sugar was indicated to be on transit to Mauritius from Jinja, Uganda. The offences occurred on 26th October 2021 at Longonot area along Naivasha – Maai Mahiu road. The sugar was transferred to two lorries driven by the David Murimi and James Maina. Thereafter Hudson Chivini stage managed an accident by rolling the truck down a slope. The sugar is valued to have a tax implication of KShs. 2,267,571.63.
They all pleaded not guilty before presiding magistrate Hon. Kelly Auma and were each released on a bond of KShs. 2 Million or alternative cash bail of KShs. 500,000. The case will be mentioned on 15th November 2021. Removal of customs seal, being in possession of uncustomed goods, interfering with goods subject to customs control and diverting from a transit route are offences contrary to section 195, 200, 203 and 104 of the EACCMA regulations respectively.
Upon conviction the suspects face imprisonment of a term not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding 2500 Dollars for the first count, for the second count, imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine equal to fifty percent of the dutiable value of the goods and for the third count, imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding 1000 Dollars or both on each count.
Commissioner Investigations and Enforcement