KRA intercepts 52,607 smuggled smartphones at Eldoret airport

According to the taxman, investigators intercepted a high-risk cargo consignment operating through the Eldoret International Airport following high-intelligence profiling.

After combing through the concealed cargo, the customs enforcement officers extracted a total of 55,607 ordinary smartphones against 3,000 units declared on the paperwork.

This meant that the suspects deliberately under-declared 52,607 smartphones in an attempt to sneak past border checkpoints without generating tax obligations.

These luxury electronics comprised the newest market releases, featuring premium flagship units such as the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold.

According to authorities, the extensive misrepresentation, non-declaration, and physical concealment of these high-value devices violated Section 203 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) of 2004, which carries stiff criminal penalties and prosecution for participating in the fraudulent evasion of national duties.

The taxman is actively leveraging intelligence analytics and data forensics to trace the broader logistical network, verify individual importers, and bring all culprits to book.

To protect local market integrity, KRA called on the public to provide relevant information on under-declaration schemes using the anonymous reporting tools found on the KRA iWhistle Portal.