The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has impounded smuggled and counterfeit goods worth Sh 16 million in the vast Nyanza and Western Region, since March this year.
The KRA Western Region Coordinator, Pamela Ahago, made this announcement, during the launch of the Rapid Result Initiative (RRI) in Kisumu County.
RRI is a drive spearheaded by multi government agencies, in a bid to eliminate sub-standard and counterfeit alcoholic drinks in the country.
Ahago said KRA has been conducting heightened surveillance across the 10 counties within the region, to eliminate illicit trade on a daily basis. The joint venture would, therefore, step up the efforts to curb the menace.
Among the seized goods include sub-standard alcoholic drinks, beverages and cigarettes with Busia and Bungoma counties topping the list with the highest cases.
The counterfeits are smuggled into the country through porous borders while others are from licensed manufacturers, who produce commodities that do not meet the required quality.
Speaking at the same event, Nyanza Regional Commissioner (RC), Magu Mutindika, said the joint team would carry out intelligence lead operations and well-coordinated to accurately raid on targeted perpetrators to flush them out completely.
“We want to get the target so that we can eliminate all these products within the communities and make sure that the society is free from these harmful products,” said Mutindika.
According to the RC, sub-standard alcoholic drinks, have caused a lot of health and social problems in the region. He cautioned residents against consuming illicit liquor that could leave them blind or even turn tragic.
Mutindika said the 30-day long exercise would leverage the expertise from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), National Authority for the Campaign against Drug Abuse (NACADA), Anti Counterfeit Authority, KRA and the security agencies for its success.
However, Ahago lamented about security challenges KRA officers have experienced while pursuing smugglers and the unscrupulous traders that have put their lives at stake.
“We have had security issues with our officers being attacked by smugglers in Isibania and Bumala areas in Migori and Busia counties respectively,” said the KRA boss.
She urged the State agencies to work as a team for a seamless operation, that would ensure the success of the initiative.
By Robert Ojwang’ and Sharon Binzari
