NAIROBI, Kenya—The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized approximately 52.5 tonnes of suspected smuggled sugar in three separate operations in Turkana and Kakamega counties, with the largest consignment in Lodwar carrying an estimated tax implication of Sh9.73 million.
The Lodwar operation, conducted by KRA’s Investigation and Enforcement Team at around 2am on Thursday, October 8, resulted in the interception of two lorries transporting 920 bags of KALIRO-branded sugar.
Each lorry carried approximately 460 bags, with each bag weighing 50 kilogrammes, bringing the total consignment to 46 tonnes.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the sugar was smuggled from Moroto, Uganda, into Kenya through the Nadapal border crossing without payment of applicable taxes or compliance with customs procedures.
KRA said the operation was part of efforts to disrupt smuggling networks, protect government revenue and prevent illicit imports from undermining businesses that comply with tax and customs requirements.
Two additional interceptions in Kakamega County brought the total quantity of sugar seized in the three operations to approximately 52.5 tonnes.
In one incident, enforcement officers intercepted a Probox motor vehicle carrying 30 bags of brown sugar weighing 1.5 tonnes. The consignment was valued at approximately Sh1.524 million, and the vehicle was escorted to Matungu Police Station, where it and the exhibits were detained.
In a separate incident along Mumias Road in Matungu, officers pursued a lorry suspected of transporting smuggled sugar after its driver allegedly failed to stop for a compliance check.
The driver and two other occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Police later apprehended one suspect, who was taken into custody to assist with investigations.
An inspection of the abandoned lorry revealed 100 bags of sugar weighing five tonnes. KRA estimated the consignment’s value at Sh500,000, with potential tax exposure of approximately Sh3 million.
The three interceptions highlight the revenue risks associated with the illicit movement of goods through border crossings and inland transport routes. Smuggled products can deprive the Government of tax revenue while exposing legitimate traders to unfair competition.
KRA said it was strengthening surveillance and intelligence-led enforcement along routes considered vulnerable to smuggling, particularly those used to transport high-demand commodities such as sugar.
The authority also warned that goods entering the market outside established customs and regulatory procedures may pose public health risks, depending on the products involved.
The crackdown comes amid changes to the taxation of imported sugar under the Finance Act, 2026. KRA said the applicable excise duty is Sh40 per kilogramme or 100 per cent, whichever is higher, subject to the relevant provisions of the law.
The authority cautioned transporters, distributors and traders against handling goods that have not been properly cleared through customs, warning that offenders risk seizure of the consignments and vehicles used to transport them, financial penalties and prosecution.
KRA urged members of the public to report suspected smuggling and tax evasion through its established reporting channels, saying information from the public could help investigators identify and disrupt illicit trade networks.
The authority said enforcement operations would continue to protect the tax base and ensure imported goods enter the Kenyan market through lawful channels.
