Editor's Review

KRA has seized electronic goods estimated to be worth Ksh13 million during an intelligence-led operation at a residential apartment in Kileleshwa, Nairobi.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized electronic goods estimated to be worth Ksh13 million during an intelligence-led operation at a residential apartment in Kileleshwa, Nairobi.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 7, the agency said the operation led to the recovery of 529 electronic items, including laptops, iPads and various accessories.

KRA said the seized items included 358 laptops, nine iPads and 162 accessories.

"KRA has seized 529 electronic items worth an estimated KSh 13 million, including 358 laptops, 9 iPads and 162 accessories, in an intelligence-led operation at a residential apartment in Kileleshwa, Nairobi," the statement read.

KRA said the goods are suspected to have been smuggled into Kenya without payment of the required taxes and duties.

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"The goods are suspected to have been smuggled into the country without payment of the requisite taxes and duties," the statement added.

This comes weeks after KRA 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.

File image of KRA offices

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. 

"We have averted a tax loss of Ksh21.5 million," KRA said.

Prior to that, 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.