KRA has so far intercepted illicit products valued at Ksh.897M

In the move which comes after the National Government issued a notification of actions to be taken to eradicate illicit brews and drug and substance abuse in the Country, the Authority has so far seized products worth Ksh.897.244 million.

KRA says the aforementioned products were seized after implementing 976 interventions on illicit trade within a period between 2023/24Financial Year.

Speaking before the Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization, and Tourism, KRA Commissioner General Mr. Humphrey Wattanga said that KRA has stationed its Officers at all Excisable goods manufacturing plants to enhance compliance with the law. 

He added that the Excise Duty regulations allow KRA to station its officers at factories producing excise tax-covered goods such as beer, wines and spirits, cigarettes, mineral water, soft drinks, and juices among others. 

The officers, also known as resident staff implement compliance, service support, and enforcement initiatives including disclosure of any irregularities and discrepancies to ensure correct payment and filing of excise taxes by the manufacturers.

He said that the staff complements other monitoring measures such as CCTV cameras inside factories wired to the KRA system to enhance security. 

KRA was responding to a petition tabled before the Senate asking the Authority to provide information on what it is doing to enforce tax compliance at manufacturers like EABL. 

KRA noted that there are no variations in manufacturing ingredients that have tax implications dating back to 5 years. It was reported that Kenya Breweries Limited contributed over 60% of domestic excise collections in FY 2021/22 and 2022/23. 

KRA continues to collaborate with other Government Agencies within the MultiAgency framework to promote legitimate trade and protect society against harmful products such as illicit alcohol, through various operations, border patrols, surveillance, and monitoring of cargo. 

The Authority remains committed to collaborating with all Government Agencies in the fight against illicit brews, and drug and substance abuse.