NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has smashed its previous monthly collection record by amassing Sh85.146 billion in customs taxes in September 2025, surpassing the target by Sh3.806 billion and marking a performance rate of 104.7 percent.
This milestone outpaces the prior high of Sh82.554 billion set in January 2025, and shows an impressive year-on-year growth of 18.8 percent relative to September 2024.
KRA attributed the record collections to strong performances in both trade and petroleum taxes. Trade taxes contributed Sh51.737 billion, edging past the target of Sh50.739 billion and registering 102 percent performance.
Meanwhile, petroleum taxes delivered Sh33.408 billion against a target of Sh30.602 billion, a striking 109.2 percent achievement.
KRA points to structural reforms and process improvements as key drivers behind the windfall.
A central element has been the introduction of a central release operations office, where head verification officers now verify and assign cargo release stations from a central hub, with assignments randomized to reduce human interference and seal revenue leakages.
This innovation, along with faster cargo turnaround times and fewer touchpoints in verification, helped tilt the system toward more efficient and transparent collections.
This record-breaking performance is a significant boost to Kenya’s revenue base, providing breathing room for the government amid global economic headwinds.
Consistent growth in customs collections supports public expenditure plans and may help reduce the need for deficit borrowing.
Still, sustaining this momentum will demand vigilance against potential loopholes, smuggling, and administrative bottlenecks.
As KRA itself notes, collection spikes are only as durable as the systems and accountability mechanisms that support them.
Kenyan watchers will be watching the coming months closely: can KRA replicate or even exceed this performance, or will this stand as a high watermark until another wave of reforms takes hold?
