The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) seized about 46 tonnes of uncustomed sugar in Lodwar, Turkana County, in an intelligence-led operation targeting the illicit movement of sugar through Kenya’s border corridors.
The operation, conducted by KRA’s Investigation and Enforcement Team at about 2am, led to the interception of two lorries carrying a combined 920 bags of sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.
Each lorry was carrying about 460 bags of KALIRO-branded sugar, with the consignment having an estimated tax implication of Sh9.73 million.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the sugar was smuggled into Kenya from Moroto, Uganda, through Nadapal, without payment of applicable taxes or completion of the required customs procedures.
KRA said the seizure was part of its efforts to disrupt smuggling networks, protect government revenue, safeguard public health and shield compliant businesses from unfair competition.
In a separate operation in Kakamega County, KRA enforcement officers intercepted a Probox carrying 30 bags of brown sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.
The consignment, valued at approximately Sh1.524 million, was seized and the vehicle escorted to Matungu Police Station, where it and the exhibits were detained.
KRA officers also intercepted another lorry suspected of transporting smuggled sugar following a pursuit along Mumias Road in Matungu.
The lorry had been flagged down for a compliance check, but the driver failed to stop, prompting officers to give chase.
The driver and two other occupants later abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Police officers managed to arrest one of the suspects, who was taken into custody to assist with investigations.
An inspection of the abandoned lorry found 100 bags of sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes. The consignment was valued at approximately Sh500,000, with taxes at risk estimated at Sh3.002 million.
The three interceptions underscore KRA’s intensified intelligence-led enforcement against the illicit movement of goods, particularly along border routes and other corridors vulnerable to smuggling.
The Authority said it is also strengthening compliance measures following changes to the taxation of imported sugar under the Finance Act, 2026. The applicable excise duty on imported sugar is Sh40 per kilogramme or 100 per cent, whichever is higher, subject to the relevant provisions of the law.
KRA cautioned individuals and businesses involved in the transportation, distribution and sale of uncustomed goods that they risk seizure of the goods and vehicles, financial penalties and prosecution.
KRA also urged members of the public to report suspected cases of smuggling and tax evasion through its established reporting channels.
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