KRA seizes 529 electronics worth Ksh13M in Kileleshwa

NAIROBI, Kenya - The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized 529 electronic items worth approximately Sh13 million during a raid in a residential apartment in Kileleshwa, Nairobi. The operation came after KRA officers received intelligence about potential customs tax evasion, smuggling of electronic goods, and the misuse of residential premises as commercial storage and sale locations.

The seized items included 358 laptops, nine iPads, and 162 accessories such as Bluetooth devices, laptop chargers, and batteries. The laptops were primarily Dell (269 units), HP (83 units), and Lenovo (6 units), while the iPads were Mini models. Authorities suspect these goods were smuggled into the country without paying the required taxes and customs duties, and they are currently under KRA custody while investigations uncover their origin, entry into the country, and the applicable tax and customs obligations.

The KRA operation was triggered by intelligence suggesting a foreign national was allegedly operating an illegal business involving the storage and movement of electronic goods without complying with customs and tax regulations. The authority is also probing the use of residential apartments as warehouses for commercial goods, especially by traders running small retail businesses in Nairobi's city center.

This practice provides an unfair advantage to traders evading taxes and customs duties compared to those who abide by the law. The seizure is part of KRA's broader mission to combat smuggling, tax evasion, and other forms of illicit trade while safeguarding government revenue. The KRA encourages the public to report suspected smuggling and tax evasion cases via its reporting channels, including the iWhistle platform, promising further action against individuals or businesses found guilty of these offenses post-investigation.