Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) enforcement officers have intercepted a truck ferrying illicit cigarettes worth an estimated Sh70 million in evaded taxes. The operation, conducted along the Busia–Mumias Road, is part of ongoing efforts to disrupt smuggling syndicates that operate across regional borders.
According to KRA, the 40-foot container truck was first identified in Busia County before enforcement teams pursued and stopped it. Upon inspection, officers discovered 1,500 cartons of cigarettes, with the driver unable to produce any valid documentation for the consignment.
Investigations revealed that the truck had been fitted with a Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) seal, which had been deliberately disabled in an attempt to disguise the consignment as legitimate cargo. The container was later escorted to the Kisumu Customs Warehouse for secure storage and further verificatiKRA,on.
Sophisticated Smuggling Tactics
KRA noted that smuggling syndicates are increasingly adopting complex methods to evade detection. These include concealing contraband within legal cargo and manipulating electronic seals to bypass monitoring systems. Such tactics allow smugglers to divert goods into the local market without paying the required taxes.
Under the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), 2004, penalties for smuggling include seizure of goods, forfeiture of vehicles used in the crime, fines of up to 50% of the dutiable value, and imprisonment of up to five years.
KRA’s Tough Stand on Illicit Trade
Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, Dr Lilian Nyawanda, reiterated KRA’s commitment to safeguarding revenue and protecting consumers.
“Smuggling denies the government critical tax revenue, undermines fair competition, and exposes the public to harmful, unregulated products,” she said.
She emphasized that dismantling sophisticated networks requires deeper investigations beyond surface-level seizures.
Intensified Surveillance
KRA pledged to step up surveillance and strengthen partnerships with other government agencies to combat revenue leakages. The authority also urged the public to report suspicious activities through its official hotlines.
This interception comes amid rising concerns over new tax evasion tactics, such as stripping imported goods of original packaging to disguise them as second-hand products—a growing challenge in cross-border trade.
