Joho firms seek to end licences row with KRA

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho responds to questions when he appeared before Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee at Parliament on July 12, 2016. Early this year, the court had put on hold a decision by KRA suspending two freight stations’ licences associated with Mr Joho. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Through lawyer Paul Buti, Portside Freight Terminals Ltd and Autoports Freight Terminals Ltd told Justice Patrick Otieno that they had sent the proposals to the taxman for consideration.
  • Portside and Autoport were also allowed to apply for an order prohibiting KRA, its servants or employees from harassing their shareholders, directors and family members.

Two freight stations associated with the family of Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho have written proposals to Kenya Revenue Authority on how to solve a dispute regarding their licences to operate cargo handling facilities, a court heard Monday.

Through lawyer Paul Buti, Portside Freight Terminals Ltd and Autoports Freight Terminals Ltd told Justice Patrick Otieno that they had sent the proposals to the taxman for consideration.

The court heard that the parties are hopeful that they will record consent and have the matter settled. “I wrote a two page proposal to KRA,” Mr Buti told the court, saying he was hopeful the agency’s lawyer, Mr Pius Nyaga, will consider it with his clients (KRA).

Early this year, the court had put on hold a decision by KRA suspending the two freight stations’ licences, after which they went to court seeking to be allowed to apply for an order prohibiting the taxman from locking and sealing them off.

Portside and Autoport were also allowed to apply for an order prohibiting KRA, its servants or employees from harassing their shareholders, directors and family members.

In response, KRA also filed an application to have orders stopping the suspension of licences to operate as a customs bonded cargo handling facility discharged.

According to KRA’s application, it was based on the grounds that the effect of the stay of execution was to allow and permit the company to carry on its operations notwithstanding the contents of the commissioner of customs and border control letter dated January 28.