The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized 529 electronic devices and accessories valued at approximately Ksh13 million following an intelligence-led operation in Kileleshwa, Nairobi.
The taxman said the items were recovered on Wednesday, October 7, during a raid at a residential apartment after receiving intelligence over suspected tax evasion and the smuggling of goods into the country.
According to a statement obtained by Vantage Ke, the operation targeted premises allegedly being used to store electronic goods outside the established customs and tax procedures.
“Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized 529 assorted electronic items estimated at Ksh13 million following an intelligence-led enforcement operation conducted at a residential apartment in Kileleshwa, Nairobi,” KRA stated.
"The intelligence indicated that a foreign national was allegedly operating an illegal business involving the movement and storage of electronic goods without complying with applicable customs and tax requirements," it added.
Among the items recovered were 358 laptops, nine iPads and 162 assorted electronic accessories, including laptop chargers, laptop batteries and Bluetooth devices.
KRA suspects the electronics could be linked to a wider smuggling network involved in bringing goods into the country without paying the required taxes and customs duties.
The seized items have been placed in KRA custody as investigations continue to establish their origin and determine the applicable tax and customs obligations.
"The seized goods are suspected to have been smuggled into the country without the payment of the requisite taxes and duties. The items have been taken into KRA custody pending further verification, investigations and determination of the applicable customs and tax obligations," KRA said.
The latest seizure comes days after KRA intercepted 40 iPhones valued at Ksh8 million at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), highlighting growing concerns over the smuggling of electronic goods.
KRA said it has intensified surveillance and intelligence-led enforcement operations to disrupt illicit trade, protect government revenue and ensure compliance with tax and customs laws.
"The Authority continues to deploy intelligence-led enforcement approaches to identify and address networks involved in the concealment, movement and sale of goods suspected to have entered the country outside the established customs processes," the authority noted.
The taxman also raised concerns over the use of residential apartments in Nairobi as storage facilities for suspected smuggled goods.
KRA said intelligence gathered had linked some traders operating small retail businesses in Nairobi's city centre to the use of residential properties as makeshift warehouses.
"Intelligence gathered indicates that some individuals operating small retail outlets within Nairobi's city centre may be using residential apartments as warehouses to store goods suspected to have been smuggled into the country."
The authority warned that the practice not only threatens government revenue but also gives businesses dealing in illicitly imported goods an unfair advantage over compliant traders.
