NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued a 30-day deadline to individuals and importers with uncollected brown sugar stored at the Loitoktok Customs Warehouse, warning that the consignments will be deemed abandoned and auctioned early next year if not claimed within the stipulated period.
In a gazette notice dated November 14, the authority’s Chief Manager in the Customs and Border Control Department, Michael Watii, said the goods must be removed from the warehouse within 30 days, failing which they will be disposed of in accordance with the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA) 2004.
“Unless the under-mentioned brown sugar is entered and removed from the custody of the Customs Warehouse Keeper within thirty (30) days of this notice, the goods will be deemed as abandoned and will be disposed of in accordance with the provisions of EACCMA 2004,” the notice stated.
Watii added that the disposal process will be undertaken through a public auction scheduled for January 5–9, 2026, via the authority’s online bidding portal. Interested buyers have been invited to inspect the brown sugar between December 29 and 30, 2025, during official working hours.
The consignments awaiting collection include Brazilian VHP brown sugar, Mama’s Choice Brazilian brown sugar, and Selati Golden Granulated brown sugar. All the products were destined for sale within Kenya before they were detained at the Loitoktok facility.
KRA’s latest directive mirrors a similar notice issued a week earlier to importers with goods lying idle at the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Nairobi and various bonded warehouses.
The authority cautioned that items not collected within the next 30 days will also be auctioned between January 5 and 9, 2026.
At the Nairobi ICD, KRA has lined up a wide range of items for disposal, including solar water heating systems, handbags, shoes, raw sugar, filter cigarettes, furniture, and motor vehicles.
The Taxman said that interested bidders may view the goods at designated depots such as Chai Logistics Centre, Syokimau ICD, Autoport, and Compact.
In bonded facilities across Nairobi, the stock earmarked for auction includes Android POS terminals, cartons of Lordkingsley SCW, drinking glasses, red wine, vodka, whisky, and other assorted imports. These items will also be available for public viewing on December 29–30.
Under Section 42 of the EACCMA 2004, customs authorities are empowered to dispose of goods that remain unentered or uncollected after statutory timelines. KRA has repeatedly defended the use of public auctions as a key tool for decongesting storage facilities and safeguarding government revenue tied to duty and warehouse charges.
The notices come amid intensified efforts by the authority to tighten import compliance and reduce the accumulation of cargo in state-managed facilities.
KRA has, in recent months, stepped up its enforcement actions targeting idle containers, overstayed goods, and tax-defaulting importers.
The upcoming auctions are expected to draw significant interest, especially from local traders, manufacturers, and distributors seeking to acquire commodities or equipment at competitive prices.
KRA has urged all affected parties to verify their consignments and take immediate steps to clear pending documentation and payments before the lapse of the 30 days; failure to which the authority proceeding with the scheduled disposal process.
