This archive report was first published on 31 August 2019.
On Friday, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) took a significant step in the fight against illicit trade and contraband goods by destroying products worth over Sh1.5 billion.
The destruction exercise, which took place at Stony Athi in Kajiado County, involved goods seized from traders in Nairobi and its environs that were being sold in violation of regulations under the Excise Duty Act.
According to KRA, the destroyed products included 25,070 bottles of beer, 102,004 bottles of wine, 82,538 bottles of spirits, and 104,786 bottles of juice, which could have led to a loss of over Sh400 million in tax revenue.
Additionally, the tax agency 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 in a statement.
The exercise was carried out in partnership 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.
KRA has appealed to the public to aid the government in combating illicit trade and contraband goods through the provision of crucial intelligence.
