Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), on Saturday night, intercepted a consignment of suspected illicit ethanol following a timely intelligence tip-off, in an operation conducted near the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) area in Nairobi.

Officers from the KRA Enforcement Team, Nairobi, acted swiftly on intelligence indicating that lorries suspected to be transporting ethanol had been sighted within a yard near the SGR corridor. Upon arrival at the location, the officers found that the lorries had already departed. However, they recovered the illicit ethanol, which had been offloaded and stored within the yard.

The operation led to the seizure of 20 drums of illicit ethanol, each with a capacity of 250 litres, amounting to a total of 5,000 litres. Also recovered at the scene was a Toyota Fielder registration number KDU 804R, suspected to have been used by the owners of the illicit product. The vehicle was found fitted with gadgets believed to be tracking system jammers, an indication of deliberate attempts to evade law enforcement and surveillance.

Preliminary assessments estimate that the seized ethanol, if compounded and released into the market, would have yielded approximately 48,200 bottles, with an estimated market value of KSh 14.46 million. The motor vehicle is valued at KSh 1.8 million, bringing the total value of goods seized to KSh 16.26 million.

Further analysis indicates that, had the illicit product reached the market, the government would have suffered tax losses amounting to KSh 7.42 million, comprising Value Added Tax (VAT) amounting to KSh 2.6 million and Excise Duty amounting to KSh 4.82 million.

The seized goods and motor vehicle have since been detained at a KRA warehouse as investigations continue, with a view to taking appropriate enforcement action in accordance with the law.

KRA reiterates its commitment to combating illicit trade, protecting legitimate businesses, and safeguarding government revenue. The Authority urges members of the public to continue providing information on suspected tax evasion and illicit trade through KRA’s official reporting channels.

Deputy Commissioner, Enforcement