This archive report was first published on 28 December 2019.
On December 28, 2019, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) in collaboration with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) seized a consignment of 7,500 litres of ethanol worth over two million shillings at Sultan Hamud in Makueni County.
The ethanol had been concealed in a 10,000 litres water tanker that was intercepted by authorities.
Upon examination, the tanker was found to have 2500 litres of water in an outer compartment, while a second concealed compartment contained the ethanol.
The samples were taken for testing at the KRA and Government chemist laboratory, which confirmed the consignment to be ethanol.
The truck driver and owner were arrested and will be arraigned in court.
Investigations are ongoing to identify the beneficial owners and smugglers behind the contraband.
As part of efforts to combat illicit production and consumption of spirit-based beverages, the KRA introduced procedures for accessing, purchasing, and importing ethanol in 2015.
The move aimed to control access to ethanol and prevent revenue loss.
