The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) enforcement teams intercepted an undeclared consignment of 21,600 units of high-end smartphones, with a tax value of Ksh 16,102,137, at the Eldoret International Airport.

The consignment was part of consolidated items that included 5,000 declared units of smartphones worth Ksh 6.4 million, as well as shoes, clothes, auto spare parts, household items, and other electronic accessories. The operation was successful following an intelligence-led report.

The intercepted consignments were consigned to Pemba Cargo Limited and declared by Portyard Limited through a cargo plane that arrived on 18th September 2025. Investigations have revealed that the goods were declared either expressly or under consolidated cargo in different categories.

This tax evasion scheme contravenes Section 203 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), 2004, which provides that:

“A person who, in any matter relating to the Customs, makes any entry which is false or incorrect in any particular, or in any way is knowingly concerned in any fraudulent evasion of the payment of any duty commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or to a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars.”

KRA remains committed to unearthing tax evasion schemes in order to boost revenue compliance and ensure adherence to tax laws and procedures. These enforcement measures are crucial in safeguarding government revenue and maintaining a fair trading environment within the market.