Athletics Kenya has urged athletes to follow Kenya Revenue Authority rules after Joycilline Jepkosgei's and Daniel Ebenyo's belongings were seized at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport upon their return from the Chicago Marathon for failing to pay customs duty.
Athletics Kenya has urged athletes to follow rules from the Kenya Revenue Authority anytime they jet back into the country from international assignments.
The stern warning comes after former London Marathon champion Joyciline Jepkosgei's belongings were seized upon her arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and she claimed to have been directed to pay more than Ksh 19,000 for her to be cleared by KRA.
Jepkosgei was fresh from competing at the Chicago Marathon where she finished fifth and she noted that the shoes she had brought with her were to be distributed to her training mates in Iten and not for any other business.
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“We arrived at Kenyatta Airport from the Chicago marathon and need help here in the airport…KRA offices have taken two bags of training shoes charging every shoe 19000, kindly help,” Joyciline Jepkosgei wrote in a formal Athletics group seeking help.
Nation Sport also reported that Daniel Ebenyo's items were also detained at the airport as they were worth more than Ksh 350,000. An official from the KRA offices explained that items valued under Ksh 260,000 are exempted from customs duty but anything above that has to be accounted for.
In response to her plea, Athletics Kenya youth and development chairman Barnaba Korir told Nation Sport that every athlete who jets into the country with luggage without having notified AK for the purpose will have to pay duty for the sports equipment.
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Barnaba Korir explained that the equipment should be for a good cause and not for commercial gain, explaining that Athletics Kenya would only come through if notified earlier. For instance, Joyciline Jepkosgei’s luggage was for benefiting the training camp, the reason behind AK’s intervention.
He explained that before arrival, the sportsperson should write in detail everything they have carried and who will benefit from that. Barnaba Korir also warned against malicious moves for personal gain.
“Rules must be followed, and athletes must adhere to them, or we risk attracting the wrath of KRA, which has been kind to us. We will not write to KRA for an exemption if we suspect athletes, coaches or management are trying to conduct business. Every item entering the country must have the name of the athlete it will benefit, and we will ensure that happens,” Korir said.