KRA destroys contraband goods worth Ksh.218 million amid crackdown on illegal trade

The exercise was conducted at Envirosafe Limited in EPZ Athi River, Nairobi, and a designated destruction site in Voi, Taita-Taveta County. 

KRA reported that the goods included illicit excisable products, among them beer brands, spirits, and bottled water that had been confiscated during a market surveillance undertaken by KRA's Medium and Small Taxpayers Enforcement Division. 

The goods are said to have violated regulations on the manufacture, importation, and sale of excisable goods. 

They were found with counterfeit excise stamps, swapped and non-activated excise stamps, illegal production by unlicensed manufacturers, and other forms of tax evasion designed to circumvent Kenya's excise duty regime. 

Speaking during the destruction exercise, Chief Manager for Micro and Small Taxpayers, Michael Gichuki, emphasized that the operation forms part of KRA's broader strategy to protect compliant businesses and preserve the integrity of the country's tax system.  

"Our work is firmly anchored on safeguarding the health, safety, and economic wellbeing of every Kenyan. These enforcement measures are not intended to punish law-abiding traders. Rather, they are designed to protect legitimate businesses by removing rogue operators who distort markets through tax evasion and unfair competition," Gichuki said.

"By eliminating illicit trade, we are creating a predictable, secure, and enabling business environment where compliant and patriotic taxpayers can thrive."  

He added that illicit trade remains one of the greatest threats to Kenya's economy, prompting revenue losses and exposing consumers to substandard products.

KRA has maintained it will continue to invest in intelligence-led enforcement, market surveillance, data-driven risk management, and collaboration with other government agencies to dismantle illicit trade networks.

The Authority believes the interventions are aimed at ensuring that only compliant businesses participate in Kenya's economy and that consumers have access to genuine, quality-assured products. 

Traders and members of the public have been urged to use the SOMA Label App, a consumer verification tool for excise stamps.