In collaboration with the Inter-Agency Team, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has destroyed an assortment of illicit goods seized from the market worth Kshs. 500 million with an estimated tax value of Kshs. 150 million.
The Inter-Agency Teams confiscated the goods to protect society against illicit products and enhance a competitive business environment to promote legitimate trade.
The illicit goods comprised alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and ethanol, which had been impounded during various Inter-agency operations executed countrywide in the financial year 2022/2023.
Speaking during the event at the destruction site at EPZ in Athi River, the Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Department, Enforcement Division, Mr Mutembei Nyagah said that the goods had been condemned and declared counterfeit as they did not comply with various legal statutes, including the Excise Duty Act 2015 and Excisable Goods Management System Act Regulations (EGMS).
He added that having any excisable product imported or manufactured by unlicensed persons was an offence.
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The Chairman of Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya, Mr Eric Githua commended the Inter-agency Team for the initiative stating that illicit goods had devastated the lives of many young people and called on the public to remain vigilant against such products.
Officials present during the destruction were representatives from the Inter-Agency Team comprising the National Police Service and the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
KRA notifies all traders and the general public that it is an offence to distribute, offer for sale or have any excisable goods manufactured or imported by unlicensed persons. The updated list of licensed manufacturers and importers of excisable goods is available on the KRA website.
KRA is committed to ensuring that traders who abide by legislation and tax policies only carry out trade operations.
