The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized 52 refurbished mobile phones and three drones at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after customs officers intercepted an airport cleaner carrying two suspicious backpacks.
In a media brief issued on Saturday, October 17, KRA cautioned travellers against bringing drones into the country without the necessary approvals from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
“The importation of drones into Kenya is restricted and requires the relevant authorisation from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA). Travellers and importers are therefore required to establish and comply with the applicable regulatory requirements before bringing drones into the country,” the authority stated.
According to KRA, the incident occurred as arriving passengers were undergoing customs clearance. Officers noticed the cleaner carrying two black backpacks as she left the terminal.
The worker allegedly attempted to escape after spotting the officers but was stopped for questioning.
“The interception occurred during the clearance of arriving passengers at the airport when Customs officers noticed an airport employee, specifically a cleaner, carrying two black backpacks as she exited the terminal. Upon being noticed by the officers, the worker attempted to flee but was intercepted for further questioning,” KRA disclosed.
During questioning, the cleaner told officers that a female passenger had handed her the bags and requested that she carry them through the customs area.
Customs officials subjected the backpacks to screening using a CT baggage scanner, which detected electronic devices inside.
Officers subsequently traced the passenger, who had arrived on an international flight. She confirmed giving the bags to the cleaner while she visited the airport restrooms.
KRA said a review of the passenger's travel documents established that she was a frequent traveller. Officers then conducted a physical search of the bags in the presence of both women.
The inspection uncovered 52 refurbished mobile phones and three drones, together with their controllers, batteries and other accessories. The additional items included chargers, travel adapters and USB cables.
Among the drones recovered were two DJI Mini 3 Pro units and one DJI Air 25 drone.
KRA said all the seized items had been secured at the customs warehouse as the authority considers further action.
The latest interception comes amid stepped-up customs surveillance at JKIA, where authorities have been targeting undeclared electronic goods brought into the country by arriving passengers.
On October 1, KRA officers intercepted 40 undeclared iPhones valued at approximately Ksh8.2 million from a passenger who had arrived from Dubai.
The two incidents highlight the authority's continued enforcement of customs requirements at Kenya's main international airport, particularly concerning the declaration and importation of electronic devices.
