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Revenue Regulator Intensifies Surveillance across Lake Victoria’s Territorial Waters to curb Illicit Trade
In the Financial Year 2024/2025, KRA collected Ksh 107 million at the Kisumu Port, up from Ksh 30 million in the previous financial year.
By Monica MUEMA
Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) Marine Unit has enhanced border security and sealed key revenue loopholes along Lake Victoria, demonstrating significant progress in combating illicit trade and boosting tax collection in the region.
In the Financial Year 2023/2024, the Marine Unit intercepted illicit and uncustomed goods valued at Ksh 3.19 million, recovering Ksh 1.6 million in revenue from the operations.
The intercepted items were largely linked to small-scale traders attempting to smuggle goods through unauthorised lake routes.
Speaking during a familiarisation session held at the Kisumu Port, Mr. Dominic Kengara, Chief Manager, Customs Western Region, noted that the KRA Marine Unit has in recent years intensified surveillance across Kenya’s territorial waters on Lake Victoria curtailing illicit trade and the smuggling of uncustomed goods, narcotic drugs, weapons, and other prohibited items entering the country through lake borders.
“Our operations have greatly contributed to the reduction of illegal cross border trade while promoting legitimate commerce through proper customs channels,” said Mr. Kengara.
He added that commonly smuggled goods through Lake Victoria include illicit liquor, timber, livestock, and sugar.
Mr. Kengara further highlighted that the reopening and expansion of the Kisumu Port have revitalised regional trade and significantly boosted revenue collection. In the Financial Year 2024/2025, KRA collected Ksh 107 million at the Kisumu Port, up from Ksh 30 million in the previous financial year.
The main revenue driver was sugar imports from Tanzania and Uganda. So far, between May and August 2025, approximately 4,600 metric tonnes of sugar were imported through the port, yielding over Ksh 170 million in duties and taxes.
Exports through the Port of Kisumu have also grown, with frequent consignments including petroleum products, ceramic tiles, wheat, and fertilizer.
Kengara noted that marine clearance at the Kisumu Port has helped decongest the Busia and Malaba One Stop Border Posts, citing that one vessel exporting petroleum products is equivalent to 135 trucks transporting similar consignments via land routes.
The enhanced marine operations underscore KRA’s commitment to strengthening border management, promoting legitimate trade, and safeguarding national revenue through innovative and efficient customs practices.