Containers at the port of Mombasa. Photo/ nation.co.ke
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has extended the licensing period for clearing and forwarding agents at the Port of Mombasa to April this year.
In a paid up advertisement in the local dailies, KRA through Customs Commissioner, Julius Musyoki, said the licenses issued in November last year will be valid till the end of April.“Arising from several inquiries regarding renewal of the customs agents’ licenses for the year 2017, The Customs and Border Control Department wishes to clarify that customs agents licenses issued for the year 2016 are still valid,” Musyoki said.“The extension of the validity period of the licenses had been granted by the commissioner of customs up to the end of April to facilitate smooth renewal process,” he added.This comes after the KRA raised concern over customs agents colluding with fraudulent business people to deprive the taxman the much required revenue.However, a section of agents under the Kenya International Warehousing Association (KIFWA) umbrella claimed that there was something sinister in the process, after KRA said that only 90 per cent of KIFWA members had complied with the laid down licensing regulations.The agents threatened to organise demonstrations to protest against the extension.