This archive report was first published on 22 June 2021.
On June 22, 2021, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) announced plans to auction off 314 vehicles and 200 containers in Mombasa, with the goal of raising at least Sh200 million by the end of the June 2020/21 financial year.
The auction, scheduled for June 23 and 24, is intended to clear goods that have remained uncollected in various customs warehouses in Mombasa.
According to KRA, the majority of the goods up for auction are linked to small traders who import using proxies posing as clearing agents and either swindle them or take long before paying the requisite fees to clear cargo.
Prospective bidders, including Dorcas Mathore, have congratulated KRA for the arrangement of the event, which will allow bidders to inspect the goods.
However, KRA staff Joseph Tonui clarified that not all cargo is being auctioned because owners have failed to pay taxes, but some are unclaimed due to tight security by government agencies to seal off illegal importation.
Owners of the goods identified for auction are allowed to take part in the auction process, but employees and close relatives of the Kenya Revenue Authority are not eligible.
Officers from the valuation branch will assess individual values for each of the items on the list, taking into consideration the full customs value (Cost, Insurance, Freight (CIF) price) and any deterioration of the goods.
