Editor's Review

A security guard working with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been charged with stealing more than 1.8 million sticks of uncustomed cigarettes.

A security guard working with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been charged with stealing more than 1.8 million sticks of uncustomed cigarettes valued at Ksh22.9 million.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, November 3, the accused allegedly stole 1,860,520 sticks of uncustomed Supermatch cigarettes that had been seized by authorities and stored at the warehouse.

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"The cigarettes, valued at Ksh22,780,542, had been seized and deposited in the warehouse," the statement read.

According to KRA, the guard was also charged with an alternative count of negligence to prevent a felony.

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His arrest followed an attempt to leave the country for Qatar through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where immigration officers apprehended him.

"He was apprehended by immigration officers at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) while attempting to travel to the State of Qatar. The arrest followed the enforcement of the Departure Prohibition Order, which restricted the accused's departure from Kenya," the statement added.

Following his arrest, the accused was presented before Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Maureen Kesse, where he denied the charges.

The prosecution opposed his release on bond, arguing that he was a flight risk, a position that resulted in the court denying him bond.

"He was denied bond after the prosecution opposed his release on bond on account of being a flight risk. If found guilty, the accused person may be liable to imprisonment to a term not exceeding seven years," the statement further read.

File image of KRA offices

Elsewhere, another suspect was charged at the Kabarnet Law Courts with being in possession of 262.5 litres of undiluted and eight litres of diluted undenatured ethanol.

The ethanol was allegedly found in the suspect's possession, with the case involving the handling of restricted and excisable goods without the required licence.

"The undenatured ethanol has a tax implication of Ksh362,223. The accused, jointly with another not before court, was charged with being in possession of the restricted goods contrary to EACCMA, 2004 and handling excisable goods without a licence contrary to the Excise Duty Act Cap 472 Laws of Kenya," the statement noted.

According to KRA, the accused was arraigned before Hon. Purity Koskey on October 28, 2026, where she denied the charges. 

The court released her on a bond of Ksh30,000 or an alternative cash bail of Ksh20,000.

"The accused was charged before Hon. Purity Koskey on 28th October 2026. She denied the charges and was released on bond of Ksh30,000 or a cash bail of Ksh20,000," the statement read.

The case was scheduled for hearing on December 16, 2026, with the accused facing potential penalties if convicted.

"If found guilty, the accused person shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to a fine equal to fifty percent of the dutiable value of the goods involved or both for counts one and two.

"They will further be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding two million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both for count three," the statement further read.