Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has marked International Customs Day with a focus on the efficiency of customs operations.
Speaking during the celebrations at the KRA offices in Shimoni, Kwale, Southern Region Coordinator (RC) Lawrence Siele said that the Authority has made significant strides in streamlining the Customs departments with the implementation of efficient working mechanisms and policies that have seen customs operations conform to internationally acceptable standards.
Siele noted that the Authority has maneuvered through a myriad of challenges that restrained the Customs Department from functioning effectively due to rigid policies that occasioned delays at the various ports of entry, hence inconveniencing trade and operations in general.
“We have made significant changes that have improved efficiency, from implementing pre-arrival clearance of vessel manifests to speed up documentation to putting perishable items in the green channels to be expedited faster in terms of clearance,” said Siele.
The RC added that the customs fraternity has played a key role in facilitating the ease of doing business for traders by reducing the number of bonds in the transshipment of cargo.
He noted that previously, traders had to go through six bonds, which have been reduced to two, a fulfillment of some of the resolutions made in the Port Charter.
Siele further lauded the compliance levels in the movement of goods through the gazetted border stations, noting that previously, movement through porous borders was rampant.
He said that the targets achieved at various gazetted entry points were indicative of compliance and trade efficiency.
“Enhanced collaboration and shared resources with multi-agency teams that include the Kenya Coast Guard and the Kenya Wildlife Services have helped monitor these borders and we have realized people have begun moving towards gazetted border stations,” added Siele.
On his part, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of Tourism and Trade Michael Mutua said that Kwale County government and KRA shared a mutual stakeholder relationship that is beneficial to the communities they served in the county.
“With two entry points in Shimoni and Lunga Lunga, KRA and the County Government should work symbiotically to facilitate trade between communities living on either side of the border,” said Mutua.
Celebrated every year on January 26, International Customs Day recognizes the role of customs officials and agencies in maintaining the flow of goods across the world’s borders.
By Andrew Hinga
