By Dawan Africa - Admin
Kenya, 9 October 2026 - A consignment of 46 tonnes of uncustomed sugar was on Thursday seized in Lodwar, Turkana County, in an intelligence-led operation targeting the illicit movement of sugar through Kenya's border corridors, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) announced on Friday.
The operation, conducted by KRA's Investigation and Enforcement Team at about 2am on Thursday, led to the interception of two lorries carrying a combined 920 bags of sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes. Each lorry carried about 460 bags.
According to KRA, the consignment, identified as KALIRO-branded sugar, has an estimated tax implication of about KSh 9.73 million, representing revenue that could have been lost had the goods entered the market.
"Preliminary investigations indicate that the sugar was smuggled into Kenya from Moroto, Uganda, through Nadapal, without payment of the applicable taxes and without undergoing the required customs procedures," KRA statement read in part.
In a separate operation in Kakamega County, KRA Enforcement officers intercepted a Probox carrying 30 bags of brown sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes. The consignment, valued at about KSh 1.524 million, was seized, and the vehicle was escorted to Matungu Police Station, where it was detained together with the exhibits.
Also in the same area, hawk-eyed officers intercepted a lorry suspected of transporting smuggled sugar after a pursuit along Mumias Road in Matungu.
"The vehicle had been flagged down for a compliance check, but the driver failed to stop," KRA stated.
Cornered, the driver and two other occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Police managed to apprehend one suspect, who was taken into custody to assist with investigations.
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The officers conducted a thorough inspection of the lorry and established that it was carrying 100 bags of sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes. The consignment is valued at about KSh 500,000, with taxes at risk of about KSh 3,002,500.
KRA maintains that it is banking on said it is strengthening surveillance and enforcement along border routes and other corridors vulnerable to smuggling, particularly those used to move high-demand commodities such as sugar.
The Authority said it is heavily relying on intelligence-led enforcement to enhance compliance and protect legitimate trade following changes to the taxation of imported sugar under the Finance Act, 2026.
The applicable excise duty on imported sugar is KSh 40 per kilogramme. In addition, a punitive charge of KSh 460 or 100%, whichever is higher, is charged on any illegal sugar seized.
KRA has cautioned individuals and businesses involved in the transportation, distribution and sale of uncustomed goods that such activities are illegal and may result in the seizure of goods and conveyances, financial penalties and prosecution.
The Authority further urged members of the public to report suspected smuggling and tax evasion through its established reporting channels.
This has to be done so as to protect government revenue and promote level playing field for compliant businesses, KRA stated.