REPUBLIC OF KENYA

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA AT CHUKA

PETITION NO. 6 OF 2019

IN THE MATTER OF ARTICLES 10. 23, 31(b), 40(3),73, 165 AND 258(1)

AND

IN THE MATTER OF ALLEGED CONTRAVENTION AND INFRIGEMENT OF THE RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS ARTICLE 31(B) AND 40(3) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF KENYA, 2010

BETWEEN

JOHN MBAABU.........................................................1^ST PETITIONER

JOHN MUTEMBEI MURATHI...............................2^ND PETITIONER

VERSUS

KENYA REVENUE AUTHORITY...............................RESPONDENT

J U D G E M E N T

1. JOHN MBAABU and JOHN MUTEMBEI MURATHI, the 1^st and 2^nd  Petitioners respectively have sued Kenya Revenue Authority the Respondent    herein for what they termed as an illegal detention of their lorry Registration No. KCG 482 T and a  pick up Registration No. KBL 804 Y which they  claim were seized on 11^th June 2019 and 18^th June 2019 respectively.   They claim that attempts to have the seized lorry released have been futile.

2.  The Petitioners have come to this court  for the following reliefs namely;-

i)   A declaration that the Petitioners constitutional rights of having their property not arbitrary seized a guaranteed under Article 31(b) of the Constitution has been violated and infringed by the Respondent.

ii)  A declaration that the Petitioners constitutional right to acquire and own property of any description and in any part of Kenya as  guaranteed by Article 40(3) of the Constitution has been infringed and or violated by the Respondents.

iii) A declaration that the seizure by the Respondent of the Petitioners motor vehicles without their consent and without giving any notice to that effect is contrary to Section 44(1) of the Tax Procedures Act 2015 and Constitution of Kenya 2010. 

iv) Reinstitution of the Petitioners motor vehicles and prohibitory order to the Respondent  from seizing and/or detaining without following the due process of the law.

v)  General damages for illegal seizure and detention of the motor vehicles.

vi) Costs and interests of this petition.

The Petitioners' case

3.  The 1st Petitioner claims that he is the owner of that lorry Registration No.  KCG 482T and states that the said lorry was seized on 11^th June 2019 at   Kaanwa Market in Tharaka Nithi County and detained at the offices of the    Respondent within Embu Town.

4.  The 2^nd Petitioner claims that he is the owner of that pick up Registration   No. KBL 804Y Toyota Hilux and that the same was seized by the   Respondent  on 18^th June 2019 at Kaanwa Market and detained at Embu at the offices of the Respondents.

5.  The Respondents claim that despite repeated demands for the release of the  said detained motor vehicles, the Respondent has ignored, refused and/or   neglected to release the said motor vehicles and that as a result of the  seizures, the Respondents have suffered and continue to suffer loss of use of the said vehicles and are afraid of further losses due to pilferage.

6.  The Respondents aver that at the time of the seizure of the said motor     vehicles, the offices/agents of the Respondent failed to serve them with any  notice and that no reason has been given by the Respondent for the  seizures  and detention of the motor vehicles contrary to Section 4 of the Tax   Procedure Act.

7. They insist that the seizure and detention of their motor vehicles is an infringement  and violation of their right to acquire and own property   of any   description in Kenya guaranteed under Article 40(3) of the Constitution  of Kenya 2010.  They further claim that their rights under Article 31(b) of   Constitution of Kenya have been violated by the Respondent due to its  arbitrary acts of seizing  and detaining the motor vehicles and that   they   have suffered losses and continue to suffer as a result of Respondent's     action.

8.  In their written submissions through the learned counsel Ms A.G. Riungu & Co. Advocate, the Petitioners have reiterated their factual claims against the   Respondent adding that the  seizure of the motor vehicles was done without    requisite notices under Section 44 (4) of the Tax procedure Act No. 29 of  2015 . They submit that the Respondent's action violated their rights under   Article 35 (1) (a) and (b) of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

9.  They have further contend that  their rights for a fair trial under Article 50  (a) (b) of the Constitution of Kenya were infringed  stating that they   have a right to be informed of any charge against  them with sufficient detail to answer.

10.  The Petitioners allege that the Respondent's  action was committed pursuant    to Sections 44 and 60 of Tax procedure Act 2015 which provisions in their   view is inconsistent with Article 31(b) of the Constitution of Kenya  2010  They further contend that the provisions of Sections 44(1) and (2) and 60 (1- 3) Tax Procedure Act restrict the provisions of  Article 30 (b) and do not  comply with Article 24 of Constitution of Kenya 2010.

11.  The Petitioners have relied on the decision of Robert K. Ayisi -vs- Kenya Revenue Authority & Another [2018] eKLR to buttress the position.

12. They urge this court to find that there has been violations of rights to dignity    and the loss of their motor vehicle and award them Kshs. 10 million .

13. They further contend that the Respondent has not stated which drivers were     given notices and that the vehicles seized did not belong to Hakim Agencies.     They aver that they are not parties to taxation issues involving Hakim Agencies and that they were merely hired to ferry goods from Hakim.  They  insist that their vehicles  were not branded Hakim Agencies and no one has been charged with ferrying uncustomed goods.

The Respondent's Case:

14.  The Respondent has opposed this petition through a Replying Affidavit sworn by one David Omugo who works at the Respondent's    domestic   Taxes Department in Embu.

15.  The Respondent pleads that it has responsibilities and mandate  under the   Excise Duty Act to regulate importation and manufacture of excisable goods   and to ensure that the excise duty is paid on excisable goods.

16.   It avers that under Section 15 of the Excise Duty Act, all importers, Manufacturers, distributes and dealers in excisable goods are required to be licensed and that ethanol, natural spirits and alcoholic beverages are    excisable goods as per the First Schedule of the Excise Duty Act.

17.   The Respondent further avers that it is part of a multi-agency task force that  was created for the purpose of curbing illicit trade and the Respondent has    mandate to ensure there is public health and safety to check harmful  products that do not comply with the law.

18.  The Respondent claims that in line with task force activities, the Respondent   together with DCI received intelligent report on 11^th June 2019 that a motor  vehicle Registration No. KCG 482T was at Chuka town distributing illicit brew.  It claims that an ambush was laid leading to impounding of the truck   which was found to be carrying alcoholic products without excise stamps   and the track was taken to KRA Embu office where it was detained .  The Respondent  further claims that  the driver of the lorry was issued with a  seizure notice which he signed at the back.

19.   The Respondent further claims that on 18^th June 2019 another motor vehicle  Registration No. KBL 804 Y was seized  and taken to KRA office for  inspection of the cargo and that upon inspection it was found to be ferrying alcoholic drinks that did not have excise stamps.  It contends that the driver  of the said motor vehicle was also issued with seizure notice  which he signed.  It has exhibited the signed notices to demonstrate the same.

20.  The  Respondent avers that the motor vehicles having been seized  transporting goods for which excise stamps had not been affixed, stand to be  forfeited as they can only be dealt with as provided under the Excise Duty Act 2015 and the Regulations and Tax Procedure Acts, 2015.

21.  The Respondent claims that  the Petitioners have not approached the  commissioner as provided under Regulations 33.  In its view there is no  provision in law allowing the release of seized motor vehicles adding that neither the alleged owner of the goods, Hakim agencies nor petitions have  directly approached the Respondent to claim the motor vehicle or the seized  goods to enable the Respondent exercise its discretion in disposing the   motor vehicles. 

22.   The Respondent further claims that this petition is premature in the sense that the petitioners have not exhausted the legal mechanisms under    Regulation 33 and that neither the petitioner nor Hakim agencies hold  licences under Section 17 of Excise Duty Act to deal in excisable goods.

23.   The Respondent avers that right to property cannot be raised when it comes    to tax administration as taxation itself is constitutional.  It further contends   that remedies sought cannot be granted as the respondents have not complied    with the law and regulations in place.

24.   In its written submissions through Ms G.O Ochieng Advocate, the Respondent has reiterated its contention that that the petitioners did not     exhaust administrative remedies which include first engaging the  Commissioner and thereafter Tax Appeals Tribunal if aggrieved as provided    under Tax Procedure Act.  The Respondent has submitted that this court should remit this matter to the Respondent or Tax Appeals Tribunal.  It has   supported their contention by relying on the following cases; (i) Speaker of  the National Assembly v Karume (1992) KLR 21, (ii) Geoffrey Kabiru  and 2 others  vs Samuel Munga Henry and 1756 others (2015) eKLR and Mui Coal Basin Local Community (2105) eKLR.  In those cases the courts stated that where there is an established alternative dispute resolution process/mechanism, the same should be exhausted before the   courts are approached. They also refer to Section 9(2) of the Fair   Administrative Action Act which states that the court shall not review an administrative action unless the mechanisms for appeal or review and other  remedies available under written law are first exhausted .  It submits that the  applicant should be directed to first exhaust the  said remedies.

25.  It is the Respondent's case that the Petitioners have not demonstrate   exceptional circumstances to necessitate filing of this petition.

26.  The Respondent states that the goods and vehicles in issue were seized for   conveying goods for which excise duty had not been paid contrary to  Regulation  32(b) and no one has ever come to claim the vehicles in issue   as to initiate the procedure under Regulation 33. They further state that the  seizure notices were issued to the drivers  and the fact that the content of the   seizure notices only mentions the content of the vehicle and not the vehicle   itself doesn’t make the seizure unconstitutional. They also submit that there is seizure under Section 44 of the TPA, which is not the relevant seizure herein as the seizure done was pursuant to EGMS regulations.

 It submits that the court in Crywan Enterprises Ltd v KRA (2013) eklr   when faced with a similar issues found that the provisions for seizure under  EAMCCA were not unconstitutional when viewed against Article 40(2) of the CoK. It has relied on the case of George Selelo and another v Commissioner General, KRA and 4 others with Pevans EA Ltd (t/a  Sportpesa) and 3 others (2019) eKLR where it was stated that taxation is  constitutional and enforcement of the same cannot be unconstitutional as far     as the right to property is concerned. It further  relies on the case of Okiya  Omtata v AG and KRA [2020] where Korir J inter alia stated that the    right to privacy can be limited and limitation is done with the aim of     protecting public interest against individuals who wish to act for self-gain.

27.  On the claim for damages, the respondent submits that it is not contested that   the vehicles were transporting excisable goods for which excise duty had not  been paid.  It is also submits that alternative laid down legal procedures to release the vehicles were not engaged and  that it has not been shown how  constitutional rights of the petitioners have been infringed. The respondent  therefore states that no wrongdoing or ultra vires action has been shown to  warrant the respondent to pay any damages to the petitioners. It relies on the case of Nyaga v HFCK Civil Appeal 134 of 1987 where the CoA stated   that where a party has a statutory right to action, the court will not prevent it   unless it has no basis to be exercised or if it is exercised in an oppressive  manner. It  also refers to the case of Allen v Gulf Oil Refinery (1981) AC 1001 where the House of Lords said that administrative bodies can become   liable to pay damages if they act maliciously or negligently but cannot be  liable for damages when they perform their lawfully mandated actions. It further contends that under the doctrine of Damnum sine injuria, there can  be loss without infringement of right. The Respondent submits that in any   case, no damages have been proven and on this point it relies on the case   of KTDA vs Sundowner Lodge Ltd Civil Appeal No 120 of 2017 where    the CoA stated that damages should be quantified and  justified by way of   evidence. It also submits that the petitioners did not attempt to mitigate their  losses by approaching the respondent’s office and they rely on the case of  African Highlands Produce Limited v Kisorio KLR (2001) 172 where the  CoA held that a plaintiff must take reasonable  steps to mitigate losses and cannot claim amounts lost as a result of his own negligence. Lastly they     rely on the case of Eric Omuodo Ounga v KCB Civil suit 42 A of 2015 in which the court stated that losses flowing from anticipated deals with third   parties are speculative and failure of the same could not be attributed to the Respondent. Therefore, according to the respondent herein, the petitioners do not qualify to be awarded any damages and let alone a very speculative    figure like Kshs. 10,000,000/=.   It submits the Petitioners have not suffered    any damage and that the figure claimed on damages lacks basis and is   untenable.

28.  The Respondent has further submitted that the seized motor vehicles have  the label of the manufacturer of the goods seized, (Hakim Distributors) and that from the time the motor vehicles were seized no one has come forward    to claim them.  It insists that Regulations 33 provide that goods seized in  such circumstances shall be disposed as the commissioner shall decide.  It further faults the Petitioners for ignoring the provisions of Section 51 of Tax Procedures Act which provides for dispute Resolution Mechanism. It avers  that the petitioners neither initiated nor exhausted that process.  It denies the   accusation levelled against it that it denied the petitioners the right to be heard arguing that the petitioners rushed to court without reason and that   they cannot claim any infringement of  a right when they are committing an    offence.

Analysis and Determination

29.  This court has  gone through this petition and the response made.  A number    of undisputed facts have emerged just as contested facts have also     

30. The undisputed facts are that the 1^st Petitioner's motor vehicle RegistrationNo.KCG 482 T and 2^nd Petitioners motor vehicle Registration No. KBL 804 Y were detained by the Respondent on 11^th June 2019 and 18^th June 2019 respectively.  Both vehicles were ferrying uncustomed goods namely liquor which are classified in law as excisable goods.

31. There is no denial by both Petitioners that their motor vehicle were indeed found carrying the said goods which is said to be manufactured by Hakim   Agencies who are not parties to this petition.

32.    The contested issues which are up for determination are;

i)   Whether the seizures of the said motor vehicle were done lawfully.

ii)  Whether the petitioners as owners were notified about seizure.

iii) Whether the seizures of the motor vehicle contravened constitutional rights of the Petitioners.

iv) Whether this court is well seized of this matter.

v)  Whether the Petitioners are entitled to damages and if so how much whether the seizures of the Petitioners' motor vehicles were done lawfully.

 33. Whereas the Petitioners claim that the seizures of their motor vehicle was  arbitrary and unlawful, the Respondent  contends the opposite.  It has cited Section 44  of Tax Procedure Act 2015 and Regulations 30, 32 and 33 of         Excise Duty (Excise Goods Management System), 2017 to defend its   actions.

34.   Sections 44 of  Tax Procedure Act, 2015 provides as follows:-

"44. Seizure and forfeiture of goods

(1)This section shall apply to—

(a) any goods in respect of which the Commissioner or authorised officer reasonably believes that the value added tax or excise duty payable in respect of the supply, removal, or import of the goods has not been or will not be paid; or

b) goods for which excise duty has not been    paid, unless the owner of the goods has made arrangements that have satisfied the Commissioner for the payment of the excise duty, which may include the giving of a security;

(c) excisable goods subject to excise control that have been moved, altered, or in any way interfered with, except with the permission of the Commissioner;

(d) excisable goods in respect of which, any person, in any matter relating to excise, makes or produces a declaration, certificate, application or other document, answer, statement or representation, that is false or incorrect in any particular; or

(e) excisable goods in respect of which a refund of excise duty has been unlawfully obtained.

(2) The Commissioner or an authorized officer may seize any goods to which this section applies."

The above  provisions shows that the commissioner is allowed and mandated   by law to seize any goods for which excise duty has not been paid.  As I   have observed above there is no dispute that the Respondent had an   obligation to seize of excisable goods (liquor) transported by the   Petitioners.  As a matter of fact the owner of the goods as the Respondent  reports  has not gone to the Respondent's premise to claim the goods or   dispute the tax obligations to the tax collector.  The provision of Section 44     however applies only to excisable goods not the vessels ferrying the goods.

35.   The provision of Section 2 of Excise Duty Act, 2015 gives what constitutes    "Excisable goods" and the list provided under the First Schedule of the said  Act includes alcoholic drinks. The big question is did the law allow the Respondent seize the Petitioners motor vehicles?  The Respondent  has submitted that the law allows the Respondent to do so and it is apparent that  it has a point because under Regulation 32 of Excise Duty (Excisable Goods Management System) Regulations 2017, provides as follows:-

"The commissioner shall sieze excise stamps, equipment, vehicles or  goods where -

(a)   excise stamps-

(i)    have been counterfeited

(ii)   which were subject to the returned to the commissioner, were   not returned; or

 (iii)    have been found in the possession of persons other than those  to whom were supplied.

 (b)  The vehicles is used in the storage, concealment or transportation of excisable goods that have not met the requirements of these regulations..............." (emphasis added)

 It is there clear from the above regulations that the Respondent has some legal backing to justify the seizures of the Petitioners motor vehicle. However this petition has not just challenged the legality of the  Respondent's action but the constitutionality of that action which in my  considered view is the elephant in the room in this petition.  Before I look at this issue which is germane to the determination of this petition I will   consider the question of  service of notice of seizures  of the Petitioners'  motor vehicles

 (ii)   Whether the Petitioners as owners of motor vehicles were notified.

36.  The Petitioners have complained that the seizures of their motor vehicles  contravened Section 44 (4) of Tax Procedure Act, 2015 because they were not served with requisite notices of seizures or detention of their vehicles.  The Respondents has denied this and stated that the Respective drivers of the  motor vehicles were duly served and has exhibited prove of service. I have looked at notices of seizure exhibited by the Respondent and it is clear that  the notices are directed at Hakim Agencies and the notices are also in respect to seized goods which are assorted alcoholic drinks and not the motor  vehicles. Furthermore, as I have noted above the provisions of Section 44 applies to excisable goods and not the vessels used to ferry the same.  The  Section provides;

" (1) This Section shall apply to;

(a)  any goods in respect of which the commissioner or   authorized officer reasonably believes that the value  added tax or excise duty payable  in respect of the  supply, removal, or import of the goods has not been or  will not be paid; or

 (b)  goods for which excise duty has not been paid unless  the owner of the goods has made arrangements that have satisfied the commissioner for the payment of the excise duty, which may include the giving of a security;

(c)   excisable goods subject to excise control that have been  moved, altered, or in any way interfered with except  with the permission of the commissioner

(d)  excisable goods in respect of which any person, in any matter relating to excise, makes or produces a declaration, certificate, application or other documents, answer, statement or representation that is false or  incorrect in any particular or

(e)  excisable goods in respect of which a refund of excise  duty has been lawfully obtained.............."

37.     It is apparently clear from the above provision that the section does not relate to vehicles or vessels used to ferry the excisable goods.  In fact Subsection (4) of the same provision is express.  It states;

 "Subject to subsection (5) when goods have been seized under this section, the commissioner or authorised officer shall, as soon as   practicable after the seizure and having regard to the conditions of  the goods, serve the owner of goods or the person who had custody  or control of the goods immediately before their seizure, a notice in   writing-

 (a)     Identifying the goods

(b)    stating that the goods have been seized under his   section and the reason for seizure;

(c)    Setting out the terms for the release or disposal of the goods and

(d)    Stating that the goods may be forfeited to the  commissioner if they are not claimed in accordance   with subsection (7)."

 Subsection (5) deals with the question of service of the seizure notice and  gives the commissioner the leeway of not effecting service if after    reasonable inquiries it is unable to locate the owner of the goods for purposes of service.

38.  The reading of the  above provisions gives a clear context and the basis upon      which the Respondent herein served the Petitioner's drivers with the notices   that it has exhibited in its Replying Affidavit sworn by David Omogo on 4^th   November 2019.

39.  This court finds that the said notices were regularly issued and duly served   on the persons who had  custody and or control of goods immediately before   the seizure on 11^th June 2019 and 18^th June 2019 respectively.  The  Respondent cannot be faulted in so far as the excisable goods or uncustomed   goods are concern.  However in regard to seizures of the Petitioners   vehicles, it is abundantly clear that there was no notice served and Section  44 is silent on notices the owners of seized motor vehicles.  There is  no legal requirement obligating the Respondent to issue notice to the owner  of a motor vehicles(s) seized under Regulations 32 of Excise Duty (Excisable Goods Management System) Regulations 2017.  This brings out  what I have observed above as the elephant in the room which is the next issue for determination.

(iii)    Whether the seizures of Petitioners' motor vehicles contravened  their constitutional rights.

40. The Petitioners have faulted the Respondent's action of seizing their motor vehicles terming the action arbitrary and unconstitutional.  The Respondent   has justified its action arguing that there  was nothing unconstitutional about  seizure of motor vehicles found conveying unexcisable or uncustomed  goods.  The Respondent has even gone ahead to urge me not to consider  the    merits of the seizure because the same  in its view can be dealt with under Section 50 of Tax Procedure Act 2015.

41.  I have carefully considered the issue raised by the Petitioners regarding the  seizures of the motor vehicles and the issue, in my view, is a fundamental    constitutional issue.  The Petitioners allege that they  have no tax obligations  to the goods they were carrying and that their business was simply transportation as they were simply hired to ferry the goods.  They  further claim that have no connection to the owner of   the goods.  Hakim  Agencies are not parties to this petition and the Respondent   states on   oath that no one has gone forward to claim the seized  goods.

42.  As I have observed, above there is no dispute that the Petitioners' drivers  were found ferrying unexcisable or uncustomed goods and the main question   is by doing so did they commit any office under the law?  There is no denying that whereas Regulation 30 of Excise Duty (Excisable Goods Management System- EGMS) Regulations creates various offences in relation to uncustomed goods, the Respondent did not and have not  preferred any charges against anyone in regard to seizure of the petitioners    lorries.  They have cast any aspersions on the culpability of the Petitioners or   their drivers in relation to breaking/breaching any law.

43.   The Respondents has also not provided the crucial link or means (if at all)   between the petitioners and seized unexcisable goods which could have in    the very least show their responsibility under Section 15 of Excise Duty Act 2015.

44.   There is no dispute that the seizure of the motor vehicles was done without any notice to the Petitioners who are the registered owners of the seized  motor vehicles.  The Respondent avers that the lorry and pick up seized are  branded Hakim Agencies but they have not annexed any evidence to  demonstrate that and nothing could have been easier for them because the seized motor vehicles are in their yard in Embu.  They could simply take photos of the branded motor vehicles if that was the case  and show  the  photographs to this court because the petitioners had pointed out that  they   are not Hakim Agencies.  Besides this and more significantly is that the Petitioners' ownership of the seized motor vehicles have been demonstrated by the exhibits of copies of logbooks which are prima facie prove of  ownership.  The Respondent has not contested the issue of ownership of the  seized motor vehicles or demonstrated any link to the required standard in law between the uncustomed goods and the petitioners other than the fact  that they were found transporting the same.  The Respondent however has  not preferred any charges against them or anyone for commission of any   offence in regard to ferrying or conveying  of uncustomed goods.

45.   Secondly and more importantly the petitioners have challenged the  constitutionality of the Respondent's action of seizing the motor vehicles  without giving them a chance to be heard which I find valid and legitimate.  I have looked at Regulation 32 and 33 of the Excisable Goods   Management System (EGMS) and the question posed is can someone's  legitimate property be just seized and sold at the whims of a commissioner  without giving the owner(s) a chance to be heard? In my considered view  such powers are arbitrary and runs afoal the constitution of an open and   democratic society such as Kenya.  I say so for two main  reasons;

i)  One of the fundamental rights and freedoms under Article 25(c) of Constitution of Kenya 2010 is a right to a fair trial and one of the tenets of fair trial under Article 50 is a right to be heard and as the Petitioners have rightly put it this includes a right to be informed of any charge with sufficient detail to answer to it. 

ii)  Secondly it goes without saying that one of the cardinal rules of natural justice is to right to be heard.  This means that a person should not be penalized  by decisions affecting their rights unless they have been given a prior notice and a fair opportunity to be heard.  This tenet is entrenched under Article 47 which deals with fair administrative action and it states;

"Every person has a right to administrative action that is expeditious, efficient lawful, reasonable and procedurally  fair............." further provides that parliament shall enact legislation   to give effect to the above rights.  In this instance,  Kenya's parliament   pursuant to this constitutional provision enacted.

The Fair Administrative Act, 2015.  Section 4(1)  thereof provides;

(1) "Every person has the right to administrative action which is expeditious, efficient, lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair.

(2) Every person has the right to be given written reasons for any administrative action that is taken against him.

(3) Where an administrative action is likely to adversely affect the rights or fundamental freedoms of any person, the administrator shall give the person affected by the decision—

(a) prior and adequate notice of the nature and reasons for the proposed administrative action;

(b) an opportunity to be heard and to make representations in that regard;

(c) notice of a right to a review or internal appeal against an administrative decision, where applicable;

(d) a statement of reasons pursuant to section 6;

(e) notice of the right to legal representation, where applicable;

(f) notice of the right to cross-examine or where applicable; or

(g) information, materials and evidence to be relied upon in making the decision or taking the administrative action.

46.  The Petitioners motor vehicles were seized and it is  clear that they were not given a chance to be heard courtesy of Regulations 32 and 33 of Excisable  Goods Management System Regulations 2017 that apparently does not provide for a chance to be heard.  This court finds that any provisions of law   that allows or gives power to an entity, a State officer or any public officer  to take adverse action or steps without according the concerned/affected person a chance/opportunity to be herd is draconian and unconstitutional. Such a provision flies in the face of the tenets naturals   justice which are   entrenched in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

47.  This court further finds that a right to a fair trial under Article 25 cannot be limited by the impugned Regulations 32 and 33 of Excisable Goods   Management System and to the extent that the said provisions breaches the  right to be heard, it is inconsistent with Articles 25, 47 and 50 of the   Constitution of Kenya 2010 and to that extent the provisions are a nullity  and void.

48.  The Respondent's action in seizing the said motor vehicles also cannot pass  the test of reasonableness or procedural fairness because how can someone's  property be seized and told that the same shall be disposed at the pleasure of   the commissioner or to put it aptly "in the manner that the commissioner  may consider fit."  That certainly is arbitrary, unfair and extreme in whatever angle one views the same.  The Respondent's defence of statutory  authority in my view does not absolve the Respondent from blame because of  the provisions of Section 3 of the Fair Administration Action which  applies to all state and none state agencies including the Respondent.  It   cannot avoid the clear dictate of the law and its action in the seizure of Petitioners motor vehicles  is a violation of the cited constitutional rights of   the Petitioners.  The Respondent has cited that their action is based on  Regulations 32 and 33 of Excisable Goods Management System but as  observed above those regulations are clearly inconsistent with the  Constitution of Kenya 2010 for denying aggrieved parties an   opportunity   to be heard.

(iii)  whether this court is well seized of this matter.

49.   The Respondent has contended that no one denied the Respondent a right to     be heard and that they prematurely rushed to this court before exhausting the  Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism provided under Section 51 of   Tax   Procedure Act, 2015 and that this court should refer this matter to  Tax Tribunal. This court has considered this contention which though valid is inapplicable to the Petitioners concerns because in the first place the  dispute raised has nothing to do with tax obligation by the Respondents in    respect to transportation of goods. Section 44 of Tax Procedures Act does not apply to transporters. Furthermore Section 15 of Excise Duty Act    2015  which deals with activities requiring a licence does not include  transportation  of excisable goods.  That laguna in law needs to be addressed    through legislative interventions before the Respondent contemplate future  actions.

50.  The Respondent has failed to demonstrate that the Petitioners had any tax  obligation in respect of the goods they were found carrying and having failed to do so it cannot in my view hide under the existence of an Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism under Section 51 which as I have found out above does not apply to the Respondents' dispute.  This court  therefore is well  placed to entertain and determine this matter and I find no  basis in law to refer the constitutional question raised to any other forum.  The mandate of this court as provided under Article 165 of the  constitutional is well spelt out and it includes the jurisdiction to determine this matter.  The Petitioners given the circumstances really had no other   avenue to seek redness other than this court.

(iv)    Whether the Petitioners are entitled to damage and if so how  much.

51.  This court has already found that the constitutional right of the Petitioners were violated.  They were wronged by the Respondent's arbitrary action of   seizing their motor vehicles instead of just seizing the uncustomed goods. There is obviously no wrong without a remedy and one of the remedies to address the petitioners losses is award of damages.  There is no dispute that  they have suffered loss because their motor vehicles have now been  detained for almost a year thereby depriving them of use and income the motor vehicles.  I agree with the Respondent  that prove of loss is   imperative and that a party cannot just plug a figure from the air  and claim it.  The Petitioners herein have claimed 10 million but have not given the  basis of the  same.  That notwithstanding this court shall exercise its inherent  discretion and award the 1^st Petitioner Kshs.2 million (two million) because  his motor vehicle is a lorry while the 2^nd Petitioner is awarded  damages of  Kshs.800,000/- (Eight hundred Thousand only).

In sum of the aforesaid reasons this court enters judgment against the  Respondent as follows:-

i)   A declaration is hereby made that the Petitioner's rights under Article 25, 31(b), 47 and 50 were violated by the Respondent  by the seizure of their motor vehicle Registration No. KCG 482T and KBL 804Y respectively

ii)  A declaration is hereby  made that Regulations 32(b) and 33 of Excise Duty (Excisable Goods Management System) Regulations 2017 to the extent that it provides no chance to the affected person to be heard is unconstitutional and a violation of Constitution of Kenya 2010.  They are also inconsistent with Fair Administrative Actions Act 2015.

iii) The 1^st Petitioner is hereby awarded damages of Kshs.2 million only for the detention of his motor vehicle Registration KCG 482T while the 2^nd  Petitioner is awarded Ksh. 800,000/- (eight hundred thousand) for detention of his motor vehicle Registration KBL 804Y.

iv) The detained motor vehicles Registration No. KCG 482 T and KBL 804Y shall be released to the owners (Petitioners) forthwith unless lawfully held.

v)  The costs of this petition shall go to the Petitioners to be agreed or taxed.

Dated, signed and delivered at Chuka this 17^th day of June 2020.

R.K. LIMO

JUDGE

17/6/2020

Judgment signed, dated and delivered  via zoom in presence of Ochieng for Respondent and Riungu for Petitioners.

R.K. LIMO

JUDGE

17/6/2020