Reprieve for lawyer in Sh443m tax tussle with KRA

The High Court has temporarily stopped the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) from demanding over Sh443 million as unpaid tax for seven years from a senior city lawyer.

But according to Prof Tom Ojienda, a commissioner with the Judicial Service Commission, the taxman added up all of his money in his four bank accounts together with unpaid fees as well as deposits from third parties as his net income subject to taxation.

In his suit protesting the tax demands, Prof Ojienda claims the move is unreasonable and illegal.

And High Court judge George Odunga granted him a reprieve by stopping the KRA from seeking the money untill his case is heard and determined.

According to the senior lawyer, he was required to pay Sh378,682,140 by October 5 as per a September 5 tax assessment done on his accounts at Stanchart and Barclays banks.