By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on Wednesday issued a statement confirming that its officers had visited Radio Rahma.
KRA, in a statement signed by its southern region coordinator said the visit was part of the enforcement actions regarding the tax compliance of Rahma Broadcasting Limited.
The media company is owned by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir.
During the visit, Governor Nassir faced off with the KRA officials claiming the move was meant to indimidate him.
He claimed it has nothing to do with the said tax arrears but all was related to his recent stand against muguka sale in the county.
But according to KRA, all due process have been followed to the later.”KRA confirms that all due diligence procedures were followed including the issuance of demand notices to the company,” KRA said in part of the statement.
“Following comprehensive review, it was determined that Rahma Broadcasting Limited was non-compliance in filing and paying various tax obligations,” it added.
The tax man further said engagement with management of the media house have been ongoing since taxes became due and payable.
KRA noted that the comoany made commitments but it did not honour them.
“Today’s activity at Rahma Broadcasting Limited is therefore part of normal KRA’s enforcement operation,” it added.
Reports had indicated that KRA offices were at the company to seize Broadcasting equipment for auction to recover the unpaid tax.
It however remains unclear on how much the media organisation owes the government in taxes.
Following the incident, ODM party issued a statement accusing KRA of being used to settle political scores.
This followed the recent controversial ban of Muguka mostly produced in Embu County.
The government however said Muguka was a scheduled crop hence the devolved units were wrong to ban it.
President William Ruto on Tuesday held a conservation with governors from three coast region over the matter.