The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)has enhanced surveillance in the Nyanza and Western regions to nab unscrupulous traders shipping in uncustomed goods.
This follows an upsurge in the number of goods entering the country illegally through the porous borders of Kenya-Uganda and Kenya-Tanzania.
KRA Customs, Border and Control Western Region Manager Brian Mwachiro said those involved in the illicit trade were using non gazzetted routes along the affected borders.
The tax collector, he said was losing millions of shillings through the illicit trade adding that measures have been put in place to scale up surveillance along the two borders and other border points in Lake Victoria to tame the vice.
Speaking during a media roundtable in Kisumu, Mwachiro said the agency has deployed intelligence and security officers across the region to bust the ring.
The officers, he added were following crucial leads to nab those involved in the illicit trade adding that the efforts have started to bear fruits.
“We have had cases where our patrol teams have intercepted such goods and appropriate action taken,” he said.
He added that KRA has enhanced patrols in Lake Victoria to nab traders smuggling goods through the water body.
“We have teams in Kisumu pier and Mfangano and Rusinga Islands who are working round the clock to curb this menace,” he said.
He urged members of the public to volunteer information to KRA to help identify additional hotspots as the agency moves to arrest the situation.
“The culprits are very smart. They venture out when they know our teams are not on the ground. Again due to shortage of staff we cannot be everywhere to check on this,” he said.
By Chris Mahandara
