NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), working with a multi-agency enforcement team, has destroyed contraband goods valued at Sh218 million as it intensifies efforts to combat illicit trade, tax evasion and the circulation of substandard products in the country.
The destruction exercise was conducted on Wednesday at Envirosafe Limited in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Athi River, Machakos County, and at a designated disposal site in Voi, Taita-Taveta County.
According to KRA, the destroyed goods comprised illicit excisable products seized during coordinated enforcement operations in Nairobi and the Coastal region.
The confiscated items included various brands of beer, spirits and bottled water found to have breached regulations governing the manufacture, importation and sale of excisable goods.
Counterfeit Excise Stamps
KRA said investigations established that the products bore counterfeit excise stamps, swapped stamps and non-activated excise stamps, while some had been manufactured by unlicensed producers.
The authority added that the seized goods formed part of schemes designed to evade excise duty, denying the government tax revenue and exposing consumers to potentially unsafe products.
The products were confiscated during market surveillance operations conducted by KRA’s Medium and Small Taxpayers Enforcement Division.
KRA Defends Crackdown
Speaking during the destruction exercise, KRA Chief Manager for Micro and Small Taxpayers Michael Gichuki said the operation is part of the authority’s broader strategy to protect compliant businesses and safeguard the integrity of Kenya’s tax system.
“Our work is firmly anchored in safeguarding the health, safety, and economic wellbeing of every Kenyan. These enforcement measures are not intended to punish law-abiding traders. Rather, they are designed to protect legitimate businesses by removing rogue operators who distort markets through tax evasion and unfair competition,” Gichuki said.
He added that eliminating illicit trade creates a fair business environment for compliant taxpayers.
“By eliminating illicit trade, we are creating a predictable, secure, and enabling business environment where compliant and patriotic taxpayers can thrive,” he said.
Threat to Economy
Gichuki described illicit trade as one of the biggest threats facing Kenya’s economy, citing significant revenue losses and increased circulation of counterfeit and substandard products.
He said KRA will continue investing in intelligence-led enforcement, market surveillance and data-driven risk management to dismantle illegal trade networks.
The authority is also strengthening collaboration with other government agencies to improve enforcement and ensure businesses comply with tax and regulatory requirements.
Public Urged to Verify Products
KRA said its ongoing enforcement operations are intended to ensure that only compliant businesses participate in Kenya’s economy while protecting consumers from counterfeit products.
The authority urged traders and members of the public to verify the authenticity of excisable goods using the SOMA Label App, a digital platform that enables consumers to confirm the validity of excise stamps before purchasing products.