NAIROBI, Kenya – A number of Kenya’s most prominent corporations and institutions, including Access Bank, Cambridge University Press, Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Serena Hotel, DHL, Bowmans, G4S, the Marketing Society of Kenya, Hair Manufacturing, Sai Office Supplies, and Orpower, have forfeited their imported cargo at the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
The uncollected goods, which have overstayed beyond the legally allowed clearance period, are now headed for public auction.
The move was confirmed in the Kenya Gazette dated June 13, 2025, which published a comprehensive list of “Overstayed Goods at Forodha, J.K.I.A., Customs Warehouse,” with a significant portion being held at KPA facilities in Mombasa.
“Pursuant to the provisions of the East African Community Customs Management Act, the following goods which have remained unentered for a period exceeding the prescribed time shall be sold by public auction.”
The items slated for auction span a wide range of categories, including industrial equipment, electronics, medical supplies, furniture, and assorted commercial goods.
The development underscores widespread lapses in cargo clearance, even among major private and public sector players.
“Despite several notifications, these goods remain uncollected. The auction is both a legal and logistical necessity.”
All items will be auctioned on an “as-is, where-is” basis, with prospective buyers advised to inspect them before bidding.
Details of the auction process and full inventory are available from KRA’s Customs and Border Control Department.
Industry observers say the presence of such high-profile entities on the forfeiture list raises red flags around internal inefficiencies, delayed procurement approvals, and potential budgetary constraints.
