NAIROBI, Kenya – A Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) security guard accused of stealing more than 1.8 million cigarettes from a government warehouse in Eldoret has been denied bond after prosecutors argued he was a flight risk.
The suspect was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) while allegedly attempting to leave Kenya for Qatar, following the enforcement of a Departure Prohibition Order restricting his departure.
KRA said the guard had been charged with breaking into its Eldoret warehouse and stealing 1,860,520 sticks of uncustomed Supermatch cigarettes valued at Sh22,780,542.
He also faces an alternative charge of negligence to prevent a felony.
The suspect appeared before Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Maureen Kesse, where he denied the charges. The prosecution opposed his release on bond, citing the attempted departure from the country.
The court subsequently denied him bond, according to KRA’s November 3 statement.
Suspect Intercepted at JKIA While Travelling to Qatar
The arrest followed investigations into the disappearance of cigarettes that had been seized by KRA and stored at its warehouse in Eldoret.
The authority did not disclose when the alleged break-in occurred, how the cigarettes were removed from the facility or whether any other individuals had been implicated in the incident.
Immigration officers intercepted the suspect at JKIA after a Departure Prohibition Order was enforced to prevent him from leaving the country.
His attempted journey to Qatar subsequently became a key factor in the prosecution’s argument against his release on bond.
If convicted, the suspect could face imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years.
Separate Kabarnet Case Involves Undenatured Ethanol
In a separate enforcement case, a woman appeared before the Kabarnet Law Courts over the alleged possession of 262.5 litres of undiluted and eight litres of diluted undenatured ethanol.
KRA said the recovered ethanol had a tax implication of Sh362,223.
The accused was jointly charged with another suspect who was not before the court. The charges included possession of restricted goods contrary to the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004, and handling excisable goods without a licence under the Excise Duty Act.
She appeared before Magistrate Purity Koskey on October 28 and denied the charges.
Unlike the Eldoret suspect, she was released on a bond of Sh30,000 or an alternative cash bail of Sh20,000. The case is scheduled for hearing on December 16, 2026.
Penalties Facing the Ethanol Suspect
KRA outlined different penalties that could apply if the accused is convicted.
For the first two counts, the law provides for imprisonment of up to five years, a fine equivalent to 50 per cent of the dutiable value of the goods involved, or both.
For the third count, the accused could face a fine of up to Sh2 million, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.
The two cases form part of KRA’s enforcement efforts targeting the handling of restricted goods, illicit products and offences that undermine customs and excise revenue collection.
The authority has urged members of the public to report suspected tax evasion and related offences through its whistleblowing platform, assuring informants that their identities would remain confidential.
