The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted a major consignment of smuggled goods at Eldoret International Airport.Among the items were 21,600 undeclared high-end smartphones with an estimated tax value of Sh16.1 million.
Officials also recovered 5,000 declared phones valued at Sh6.4 million, alongside shoes, clothes, auto spare parts, and electronic accessories.
According to KRA, the shipment arrived on September 18, 2025, concealed under consolidated cargo categories by another agency and consigned to a local cargo company.
Initial intelligence flagged the consignment as part of a recurring smuggling trend, prompting enforcement teams to act swiftly.
Investigations later revealed deliberate false declarations, with some phones and electronics disguised as household items.
Authorities confirmed that the attempted tax evasion contravenes Section 203 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), which prescribes penalties of up to three years imprisonment or fines of up to USD 10,000 for fraudulent customs declarations.
While celebrating the operation as a victory against tax cheats, KRA officials admitted concerns over insider collusion.Reports suggest that sections of airport staff may have been compromised, with negotiations allegedly taking place to release the consignment unlawfully.
The Commissioner for Investigations and Enforcement reiterated KRA’s commitment to dismantling smuggling networks, noting that such schemes deprive the government of essential revenue needed for public services.
He urged whistleblowers and the public to continue providing intelligence to curb the vice.
The Eldoret Airport seizure underscores the growing sophistication of smuggling cartels, which rely on corrupt networks and group consolidation strategies to infiltrate high-value goods.
KRA has dispatched investigators to intensify the probe, vowing to hold those involved accountable.
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