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KRA has intercepted a consignment of smartphones at Eldoret International Airport after discovering that thousands of phones had been under-declared for tax purposes.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted a consignment of smartphones at Eldoret International Airport after discovering that thousands of phones had been under-declared for tax purposes.
In an update on Wednesday, September 23, the authority said the consignment contained more than 55,000 smartphones that had reportedly been declared as only 3,000 devices.
KRA said its enforcement teams also discovered hundreds of high-end phones that had not been declared.
The tax authority said the interception prevented a potential loss of Ksh21.5 million in taxes, as the undeclared and under-declared devices would have resulted in lower tax obligations.
"Our enforcement teams have intercepted a consignment at Eldoret International Airport: 55,607 smartphones declared as just 3,000, plus 309 undeclared high-end phones.
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"We have averted a tax loss of Ksh21.5 million," KRA said.
Notably in September 2025, KRA intercepted an undeclared consignment of 21,600 units of smartphones valued at Ksh16,102,137 in tax at the Eldoret International Airport.
In a statement on Monday, September 22, the authority said the consignment was part of consolidated cargo that also included 5,000 declared smartphones worth Ksh6.4 million.
"The KRA enforcement teams have intercepted an undeclared consignment of 21,600 units of high-end smart phones worth Ksh16,102,137 in tax at the Eldoret International Airport.
"The consignment was part of consolidated items that included 5,000 declared units of smartphone worth Ksh6.4 million, shoes, clothes, auto spare parts, household items and other electronic accessories. The consignment was intercepted following an intelligence report," the statement read.
KRA revealed that the shipment was linked to two companies through a cargo plane that landed at the airport on Thursday, September 18.
The agency added that declarations of the goods were done either expressly or under consolidated cargo under each category.
"The consignments were consigned to Pemba Cargo Limited and was declared by Portyard Limited through a cargo plane that arrived on 18th September, 2025. Investigations have established that the declarations of the goods were done either expressly or under consolidated cargo under each category," the statement added.
Elsewhere, more recently, KRA seized smuggled cigarettes, shisha tobacco and powdered milk valued at Ksh46.77 million in an enforcement operation targeting illicit goods entering the country.
In a statement on Friday, September 18, the authority said the seizure has also prevented the loss of millions of shillings in government revenue, with taxes amounting to Ksh29.177 million at risk.
"Our enforcement officers have seized smuggled cigarettes, shisha tobacco and powdered milk worth Ksh46.77 million, with Ksh29.177 million in taxes at risk," the statement read.
KRA said its enforcement officers intercepted the goods after discovering that they had been concealed in compartments aboard a passenger bus operating along the Uganda-Kenya route.
The authority said the concealment was intended to facilitate the movement of the goods without detection by enforcement officers.
"The goods were hidden in concealed compartments aboard a passenger bus along the Uganda, Kenya route.
"We remain committed to protecting public health, legitimate businesses and government revenue," the statement added.
