6 days Ago By Standard Business
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has launched a patrol boat for their Marine Unit fleet to enhance the fight against illicit trade and maritime border security. Launching the Marine Unit fleet, KRA 009 in Mombasa on Monday, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga said it marked a renewed commitment to protecting borders and securing the economy. Wattanga noted that illicit trade continues to seriously threaten the economy, public health, and national security, citing the smuggling of goods, which denies government revenue and risks lives.
“As KRA, our mandate extends beyond revenue collection. We are a key player in national security through our role in border control. To this end, KRA has adopted a wide range of strategies and technological interventions to stop the surge of illicit trade,” said Wattanga.
To reduce the surge of illicit trade, the authority has invested in market surveillance, advanced risk analysis and targeting, real-time information sharing across agencies, multi-agency cargo verifications, deployment of K9 units, installation of scanners at entry points, and both land and water patrols. He noted that KRA has prioritised establishing and strengthening the marine unit after recognising the vulnerabilities of the coastline and inland waters, particularly the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria. “The East African coastline has long been targeted by smugglers and criminal syndicates, making our maritime enforcement capability not just necessary but urgent,” he added.
“With the launch of this new boat, we are taking a bold step forward. The KRA 009 is not just a vessel, it is a symbol of our unwavering resolve to defend our borders, ensure the safety of our people, and promote fair trade”. He added that the boat would enhance the surveillance, interception, and enforcement operations across Kenya’s territorial waters.
KRA officials launching the new smart boat .[Courtesy] Dr. Lilian Nyawanda, Commissioner of Customs and Border Controls, shared the similar risks posed by illicit trade, noting the gaps.
“Illicit trade thrives where border controls are weak, where there is limited inter-agency collaboration, and unfortunately where corruption creeps into systems meant to safeguard the public good. The consequences are far reaching, ranging from stifled trade and reduced revenue collection, compromised national security and deepened social and economic disparities,” she noted. She added that KRA had enhanced the enforcement capabilities with the Border Control and Enforcement division continuing to play a pivotal role in the interception of smuggled consignments and the recovery of evaded taxes.
“For instance, here at the port of Mombasa, between October and December 2024 alone, we recorded 1,164 custom enforcement offences, collecting over Sh. 491 million in taxes and an additional Sh. 77 million in fines and penalties,” she added.
The officers in the unit are empowered to conduct searches, make arrests, and seize contraband, working hand in hand with the Kenya Coast Guard Service and other enforcement teams. The commissioning of the KRA 009 boats is aimed at strengthening the authority’s presence in the waters in its mandate to protect the nation’s borders. Stay informed.
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