KRA raises alarm on rise of smuggled goods intercepted on Lake Victoria
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intensified its marine surveillance operations on Lake Victoria in a renewed effort to combat smuggling and enhance legitimate trade within the region.
According to Dominic Chengara, the Western Regional Head of KRA, an area covering ten counties, the marine unit operates under the Customs and Border Control Department, focusing on patrols and enforcement of customs laws and regulations within Kenya’s controlled section of the lake.
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“Today we had engagements regarding marine activities and units for KRA, which deal with lake patrols and enforcement of customs laws and regulations that concern the lake and the Indian Ocean,” Chengara said.
He explained that the unit’s main goal is to fight smuggling through water routes, noting that criminal activities are increasingly shifting from land borders to areas beyond the reach of conventional patrols.
Chengara revealed that some intercepted goods originate from East African Community (EAC) partner states.
“Within the EAC, there are no duties paid between member countries, but when we intercept goods from people who have tried to use shortcuts, they realise they have saved nothing,” he said.
He urged traders to avoid illegal shortcuts and instead seek assistance from KRA offices to facilitate legitimate trade.
The marine patrols, he said, focus more on prevention than recovery. For instance, for goods leaving the port, he said they follow and escort them to ensure there is no dumping along the way, which is more preventive than waiting to report how many goods they have intercepted.
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In the 2023/2024 financial year, KRA intercepted goods worth Ksh1.9 million, mainly from small-scale traders, including fishermen using small boats. The figure rose to Ksh3.2 million in the financial year ending June 2025, reflecting a significant increase in enforcement activity.
“There has been a huge increase from Ksh1.9 million to Ksh3.2 million, and we hope to improve interception rates further. The key thing is prevention and deterrence,” he said.
Chengara noted that the vastness of Lake Victoria poses a major challenge, as KRA cannot be omnipresent due to limited equipment. However, he emphasised collaboration with agencies such as the Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), and Beach Management Units (BMUs), which help extend KRA’s presence and reach local communities.
“These agencies interact directly with the people on the ground. When we work together, we increase our capacity and ensure we are all moving in the same direction,” he said.
On revenue collection, Chengara reported notable improvements and attributed this to enhanced surveillance and growing confidence among traders. He said the increasing number of large vessels docking in Kisumu signifies reduced illicit activities and greater compliance.
Meanwhile, KRA has also outlined key products currently being transferred and transported to Uganda through Kenyan ports. These include petroleum products such as Automotive Gas Oil, Premium Motor Spirit, and Illuminating Kerosene, as well as ceramic tiles, fertiliser, and HRCs and steel billets shipped through Port Bell and Jinja.
An average of four vessels carrying ceramic tiles and steel billets are dispatched monthly, while fertiliser consignments range between one and two vessels. Mining spares, including hydraulic Caterpillar parts, have also been shipped earlier this year, with a wheat consignment scheduled for April 2025.
KRA said the movements reflect sustained trade cooperation between Kenya and Uganda under regional integration and transit trade facilitation frameworks.
