- KRA enforcement officers intercepted 21,600 undeclared smartphones at Eldoret International Airport.
- The phones are valued at Sh16.1 million in tax obligations.
- Cargo also included 5,000 declared smartphones, clothes, shoes, spare parts, and electronics.
- Consignment linked to Pemba Cargo Limited, declared by Portyard Limited.
- KRA cites contravention of the East Africa Community Customs Act, 2004.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted 21,600 high-end smartphones at Eldoret International Airport in what is suspected to be a tax evasion scheme worth Sh16,102,137.
The consignment was flagged after an intelligence tip-off and found to be undeclared despite being part of consolidated cargo.
“Following intelligent reports, KRA enforcement teams have intercepted an undeclared consignment of 21,600 units of high-end smartphones worth Ksh16,102,137 in tax at the Eldoret International Airport,” the authority confirmed in a statement.
The shipment, consigned to Pemba Cargo Limited and declared by Portyard Limited, arrived in the country aboard a cargo plane on September 18, 2025.
Alongside the undeclared smartphones, the consignment also carried 5,000 declared smartphones worth Sh6.4 million, as well as shoes, clothing, auto spare parts, household goods, and other electronics.
Investigations revealed that the goods had been declared either underexpressly or disguised within consolidated cargo categories.
KRA noted that the scheme contravenes Section 203 of the East Africa Community Customs Act (EACCMA), 2004.
The law states:
“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.”
The authority reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on fraudulent cargo declarations as part of efforts to increase compliance and safeguard fair market competition.
“KRA is actively engaged in unearthing tax evasion schemes to boost tax revenue compliance as well as adherence to tax laws and procedures,” the statement added.
The case adds to a growing list of recent seizures as KRA intensifies its surveillance on imports through key entry points.
