The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted a consignment of more than 55,000 smartphones at Eldoret International Airport after discovering that the devices had been significantly under-declared for tax purposes.
In an update on Wednesday, September 23, KRA reported that 55,607 smartphones had been declared as only 3,000 devices.
Enforcement officers also found 309 high-end smartphones that had not been declared.
The tax authority estimated that the interception prevented a potential tax loss of Ksh21.5 million.
KRA building Nairobi. Photo: Courtesy.
The latest seizure comes after KRA intercepted another consignment of undeclared smartphones at the same airport in September 2025.
In that case, enforcement officers recovered 21,600 high-end smartphones with a tax value of Ksh16,102,137.
The shipment was part of consolidated cargo that also contained 5,000 declared smartphones valued at Ksh6.4 million, as well as shoes, clothes, vehicle spare parts, household goods and other electronic accessories.
KRA reported that the consignment was intercepted following an intelligence report.
The shipment was linked to two companies and arrived at Eldoret International Airport aboard a cargo plane on September 18, 2025.
According to the authority, the goods had been declared either individually or as part of consolidated cargo under different categories.
The repeated interceptions highlight KRA’s increased scrutiny of imported electronics and consolidated cargo at entry points as the authority seeks to curb tax evasion and protect government revenue.
The latest operation also comes amid continued efforts by KRA to strengthen enforcement against importers who misrepresent the quantity or value of goods to reduce their tax obligations.
