This archive report was first published on 30 August 2019.
On Friday, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) destroyed illicit excisable products worth over Kshs1.5 billion in Stony Athi, Kajiado County.
The goods, seized from traders in Nairobi and its environs, were being sold in violation of regulations stipulated under the Excise Duty Act.
According to KRA, the destroyed products included 25,070 bottles of beer, 102,004 bottles of wine, spirits packed in 82,538 bottles, and 104,786 bottles of juice.
The agency further stated that the goods could have led to a loss of over Ksh 400 million in tax revenue.
Additionally, KRA destroyed an assortment of machinery used in the production of some goods, 93,670 bottles of water, 60,000 fake excise stamps, and 6,450 packets of cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, and shisha packed in 50 packets.
‘Today’s destruction exercise marks a significant milestone in the fight against illicit trade and contraband goods in the country. It underscores the government’s determination and keenness to annihilate the vices of illicit trade and contraband goods,’ KRA said.
The agency partnered with various government agencies, including the Office of the President, Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA), NACADA, and the Department of Public Health, to impound the products.
Illicit trade and contraband goods pose unfair competition to legally trading products in the market and potential health hazards to unsuspecting consumers, KRA noted.
