The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized approximately 46 tonnes of suspected smuggled sugar in Lodwar, Turkana County, in an intelligence-led operation targeting the illicit movement of goods across Kenya’s border corridors.

The operation, conducted by KRA’s Investigation and Enforcement Team at about 2 am on Thursday, October 8, resulted in the interception of two lorries carrying 920 bags of sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.

According to the authority, the consignment has an estimated tax implication of Sh9.73 million, which could have been lost had the goods entered the market without payment of the applicable taxes.

In a public statement issued on Friday, October 9, KRA said the seizure was part of its efforts to disrupt networks involved in the illicit movement of sugar and protect government revenue.

"Preliminary investigations indicate that the sugar had been smuggled into Kenya from Moroto, Uganda, through Nadapal, without payment of the applicable taxes and without undergoing the required customs procedures," the authority said.

KRA added that the operations were also intended to safeguard public health and protect businesses that comply with tax regulations from unfair competition posed by smuggled goods.

The Lodwar seizure was among three interceptions reported by KRA following separate enforcement operations in Turkana and Kakamega counties.

In Kakamega, enforcement officers intercepted a vehicle transporting 30 bags of brown sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes.

The consignment was valued at approximately Sh1.524 million before the vehicle was escorted to Matungu Police Station, where it and the exhibits were detained.

In a separate incident along Mumias Road in Matungu, officers pursued a lorry suspected of transporting smuggled sugar after its driver failed to stop for a compliance check.

The driver and two other occupants allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. Police officers apprehended one suspect, who was taken into custody to assist with investigations.

"An inspection of the abandoned lorry established that it was carrying 100 bags of sugar, each weighing 50 kilogrammes. The consignment has an estimated value of Sh500,000, with taxes at risk amounting to approximately Sh3,002,500," the statement said.

KRA said the interceptions demonstrated its continued use of intelligence-led enforcement to disrupt smuggling and protect the country’s tax base.

The authority added that it was strengthening surveillance along border routes and other corridors vulnerable to smuggling, particularly those used to transport high-demand commodities such as sugar.

It also cited measures aimed at enhancing compliance following changes to the taxation of imported sugar under the Finance Act, 2026.

According to KRA, the applicable excise duty on imported sugar is Sh40 per kilogramme or 100 per cent, whichever is higher, subject to the relevant provisions of the law.

The authority cautioned individuals and businesses involved in transporting, distributing or selling uncustomed goods that such activities were illegal and could lead to the seizure of goods and vehicles, financial penalties and prosecution.