Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho at a past event. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
The Kenya Revenue Authority has said issuance of tax compliance certificate and blocking of any PIN is a normal procedure based on tax compliance of an individual.
In response to allegations by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho that he was unable to file his tax returns after his PIN was blocked, KRA said on Saturday that tax issues on any one were private and confidential.The tax body through its Commissioner of Investigations and Enforcement said tax matters cannot be discussed publicly other than with the individual or his appointed tax agent.“The PIN owner has an obligation to file returns and is advised to contact KRA Investigations and Enforcement office in Mombasa or Nairobi for assistance in filing returns,” said the commissioner in a press release.The taxman said it was committed to assisting individual taxpayers to meet their tax obligations.Joho through his Communications Director Richard Chacha on Thursday said the county chief was unable to file his tax returns as directed by law.“We know this is a continuation of Jubilee government’s attempts to muzzle the governor over his political stand and for being bold on issues affecting his people,” said Chacha, adding no amount of intimidation will change Joho’s course in politics.“Let the Jubilee government know that time will come when they will answer to the people for desperate moves to suppress those with dissenting voices,” he added.He said Jubilee had fought Joho and his family saying he (Governor) does not mind if it is the price he will have to pay for defending Mombasa people and for speaking the truth.In March, a demand for Sh90 million in taxes purportedly owed to KRA by a firm linked with Joho’s family was suspended by the High Court.Justice Eric Ogola suspended KRA from demanding or issuing notices for the taxes supposedly owed until the determination of a case filed by Portside Freight Terminal Ltd or further orders.