Dockworkers offloading sugar at the Port of Mombasa. [Photo/standardmedia.co.ke]
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been directed by a Mombasa Court to allow the off-loading of sugar worth Sh2.6 billion at the Port of Mombasa.Justice Eric Ogola directed the taxman to adhere to an order that had been issued earlier by the court.The 800,000 bags of duty-free sugar arrived at the port in early December.A Brazilian ship which was ferrying the sugar has remained at the port since docking a month ago.In his ruling, Justice Eric Ogola said KRA should allow offloading to start with immediate effect as directed earlier by the court on December 27, 2017. The judge also directed the sugar to be stored in a private warehouse at JB Maina. "After careful consideration of the submissions of the parties, I'm satisfied that the earlier order issued on December 27 has to be obeyed,” said Justice Eric Ogola. KRA had appealed the December 27 ruling and sought a review of the ex-parte order which was given to Darasa Investments to offload the sugar that was imported from Dubai.KRA had also opposed allowing storage of the sugar in a private warehouse, arguing that it had custom bonded warehouses at the port. The authority further argued that the sugar might be stolen if stored in a private warehouse, leading to a loss in taxes.The respondents, however, argued that KRA did not have enough warehouses to store the sugar.In the ruling, Justice Ogola defended the order and asked KRA to organise private security for the sugar.Is there a newsworthy accident, incident or event happening in Mombasa County that you want Hivisasa to cover? Tell us what is happening by joining this group and have it published. http://bit.ly/2BipYa6