Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on Wednesday, May 19, destroyed goods worth Ksh1 billion recovered during a raid in Nairobi.
In a statement, the authority indicated that the operation was commissioned by Rispah Simiyu, Commissioner of KRA Domestic Tax and was aimed at destroying the goods classified as illicit.
The goods, which were seized by a multi-agency team from traders around the city, were destroyed at ECCL Facility in Stoni Athi, Kajiado County.
KRA noted that fake excise stamps were also destroyed in the stamp.
"This afternoon, KRA in collaboration with the multi-agency team against illicit trade destroyed illicit excisable products with a market value of Ksh1 billion at Stoni Athi, Kajiado County.
"The products seized from various traders in Nairobi and its environs were being sold in contravention of various regulations as provided for under the Excise Duty Act which could have led to the loss of taxes worth over Ksh400 million," read the statement in part.
The goods included 379,760 bottles of alcoholic spirits, 60 drums of raw spirit, 35,615 bottles of beer, 11,000 bottles of wine and 197,000 packets of cigarettes.
"This exercise reflects the passion and determination by the government to eradicate illicit trade within our borders and KRA’s commitment towards its mandate of facilitating legitimate trade in the country.
"Illicit trade not only pose unfair competition to legally trading products in the market but also pose potential health hazards to unsuspecting consumers," continued the statement.
The multi-agency teams involved in the destruction included the Office of the President, National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Interior Ministry, Public health and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
KRA explained that the illicit products were also detrimental to the economic muscle and cost the state revenue.
In mid-march, the authority launched a door-to-door crackdown on Nairobi businesses targeting the renewal of permits among other functions.
KRA was collecting revenue pursuant to the deed of transfer appointing KRA as the principal revenue collecting agent for the county.
