Times Tower building in Nairobi, Kenya/ Courtesy
NAIROBI Kenya, Dec 7- A warrant of arrest has been issued against two directors at Purma Holdings Limited having failed to appear before court to answer to charges over unpaid taxes valued at Sh2.2 billion.
The order was issued by the Chief Magistrate at the Anti-corruption Court, Hon. Felix Mutinda Combo.
The two top bosses Mary Wambui Mungai & Purity Njoki Mungai face eight counts of knowingly and unlawfully omitting taxes due in the income tax returns submitted to the Commissioner for Domestic Taxes for the period between 2014-2020.
They also face charges for failure to honor summons on the same by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The court was informed that the two failed to honor summons to appear before KRA on December 3, 2021 to be informed of the charges against them and instead sent their accountant.
Through their lawyer Sylvanus Osoro, Mungai notified the court that she had been admitted to hospital and was therefore unable to appear before KRA. However, no medical records or disclosure of illness or hospitalization were provided in support of the allegation.
Court observed that it was clear the summons were properly served to the accused who neglected to honor them.
The court observed that it would appear the accused persons are buying time instead of confronting the charges leveled against them noting the gravity and the public interest nature of the charges.
The case will be mentioned on December 14, 2021 or prior to this date if the accused are arrested and presented before court.
