Govt Announces Auction of Rice, Vehicles & Other Items; How To Bid

A photo collage of vehicles being unloaded from a ship in Mombasa (left) and sugar being stored in a warehouse.
A photo collage of vehicles being unloaded from a ship in Mombasa (left) and sugar being stored in a warehouse.
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The Kenyan Government, through the Customs and Border Control Department on Friday, May 26, announced an auction of rice, vehicles and other items.

Bidders were urged to prepare for the auction scheduled for Wednesday, June 28. Viewing the goods before the auction was said to be free. 

“Pursuant to the provisions of section 42 of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004, notice is given that unless the under-mentioned goods are entered and removed from the Customs Warehouse within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice, they will be sold by public auction,” the notice read in part.

A photo of containers stacked at Mombasa Port.
A photo of containers stacked at Mombasa Port.
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The Maritime Port of Mombasa

Among the goods to be auctioned were ten consignments of Pakistan’s long-grained parboiled rice and one consignment of Indian raw white rice.

The rice has been in the country for over seven months, having docked at the Mombasa Port on October 26, 2022.

Customs Department further announced it would auction motor vehicles and packaged motor spare parts which docked in the country on January 6, 2023.

Apart from rice, the government announced it had two consignments of Argentine Groundnut Kernels at its warehouses awaiting auction if not promptly cleared.

Kenyans in the construction industry have the opportunity to buy the following to be auctioned items; Eagacryl, Tiles, Sanitary Wares, Mattress, Tissue, Windows, Granite, Cupboard, Furniture Accessories, and Solar Home System Equipment.

It was noted that a consignment of medical supplies was headed to auction after its owners failed to clear it since it docked in the country on September 5, 2022.

Other goods to be auctioned include; Dove Fresh Touch, Non-Haz Dove Toiletries, Fibre Optic Cable, Wrapping Film, Used Clothes, Gaming Machines with their Parts, and Cooper Tyres. 

How to bid

Interested Kenyans were notified that bidding would occur at Inland Container Depot in Embakasi, Nairobi

“Interested buyers may view the goods at the Customs Warehouse, ICDE on June 26 and June 27, 2023, during office hours," the public was notified. 

A photo of containers at the Inland container terminal, Embakasi Nairobi.
A photo of containers at the Inland container terminal, Embakasi Nairobi.
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Kenya Engineer