By KIARIE NJOROGEConsumers of excisable goods can check if the products on shelves are genuine through a smartphone application the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) launched on Wednesday. The app dubbed Stamp Checker will be used to verify whether an excise stamp on excisable products such beers, cigarettes and wine are genuine and by extension from a licensed manufacturer. The KRA said the use of the app would help combat illicit goods and boost revenue as well as protect buyers from harmful counterfeit goods. The use of electronically readable excise stamps is currently only on wines, spirits, tobacco and beer with KRA yet to introduce it on soft drinks and bottled water. Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Benson Korongo said overall excise taxes for the year ended June grew by 28 per cent to Sh48.9 billion but revenue under goods bearing the new excise stamps jumped 43 per cent, adding Sh8 billion.

Source: Daily Nation September 28, 2016 16:18 UTC