Value of seized smuggled, counterfeit goods hit Sh244 million in 2024
This marks an increase from Sh200 million in 2023, reflecting a stronger crackdown on illegal imports.
The value of smuggled and counterfeit goods seized at Kenya's entry points, including the Mombasa Port, reached Sh243.5 million in 2024, according to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
This marks an increase from Sh200 million in 2023, reflecting a stronger crackdown on illegal imports.
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Lilian Nyawanda, KRA's Commissioner of Customs and Border Control, said that the majority of these seizures occurred between June and December 2024.
To combat the growing issue, KRA has ramped up enforcement efforts by establishing patrol bases and inland border control checkpoints along key smuggling routes.
These routes include areas that lack formal border stations and monitoring systems.
"KRA has ramped up enforcement efforts by establishing patrol bases and inland border control checkpoints along key smuggling routes, particularly in areas lacking formal border stations and monitoring systems," Nyawanda explained.
"This was supported by the enhanced intelligence-based multi-agency team surveillance and patrols, mapping out smuggling hotspots leading to successful interception of illicit goods worth Sh243.5 million nationwide between July and December last year."
In Mombasa, cargo inspections are carried out by a team that includes KRA, the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, and the Kenya Ports Authority.
Asia connection
Previous reports from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers indicate that around 70 per cent of counterfeit products entering Kenya come from Asia.
Nyawanda highlighted several new initiatives to improve cargo surveillance and clearance.
These include the introduction of X-ray cargo scanners for non-intrusive inspection, smart gates for automated vehicle and cargo clearance, and web-checkout functionality to streamline payments and transshipments via a single e-slip.
"Our focus is to enhance customs compliance, strengthen border management and security, streamline and simplify procedures, and foster trade facilitation," Nyawanda stated.
"At the core of these efforts is the continuous expansion of our IT infrastructure to meet the ever-evolving needs of businesses."
KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga also pointed out that efficiency at cargo clearing points has improved.
The time it takes to release goods from the Mombasa port, inland container depots, and the Kenya Railways Corporation sheds has dropped by 54 per cent over the last three years.
"The duration of time to release goods has also recently dropped to an average of 51.43 hours from 112.6 hours in 2021/2022. This translates to a duration of slightly above two days compared to the previous duration of slightly above four days," Wattanga said.
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