Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) raided a notorious smuggling gang in Sori, Migori County.
The taxman impounded energy drinks that were being smuggled from Tanzania into Kenya without excise stamps that are required by KRA.
According to the Standard, the consignment was believed to be worth Ksh1.5 million. KRA partnered with other government institutions to mount a crackdown on illegal smuggling.
KRA, in March 2021, raised an alarm over the number of goods that are smuggled through the Lake Victoria region from neighbouring countries.
The taxman on May 19, 2021, 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 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 during the operation.
"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.
In 2020, Interior CS Fred Matiang’i assembled a team that was going to oversee a crackdown on the alcoholic beverages industry.
In a gazette notice, Matiang’i stated that the newly created National Alcohol Control Committee would be chaired by Interior PS Karanja Kibicho, and will include AG Paul Kihara, DCI George Kinoti and DPP Noodin Haji.
Other members of the committee include Health PS Susan Mochache, Youth Affairs PS Julius Korir, KEBS MD Bernard Njiraini, KRA Director-General James Mburu among other government officials.
