Nairobi: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has observed the International Customs Day dedicated to commemorate and appreciate customs administrators who facilitate the movement of goods across international borders while safeguarding the country from threats posed by organized crime, smugglers, commercial fraudsters, terrorists, and dangerous goods that could endanger the public. The annual event also provides a platform for customs officers and administrators to highlight their past achievements.
According to Kenya News Agency, ICT Principal Secretary (PS) Eng. John Tanui acknowledged the critical role played by KRA in helping the government to achieve its goal through modernization of customs procedures, adoption of cutting-edge technologies, and promotion of data-driven operations. “All our programs in government rely on you and the work you do. We rely on our collections as a country to be able to carry on all the other commitments we have as a country,” stressed the PS adding that even the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda of President William Ruto relies greatly on the work that KRA does.
He noted that KRA has made significant progress with the integrated customs management system and that the rollout of the scanner solutions at the border post have streamlined trade processes, reduced turnaround times, and improved transparency and efficiency. “Modernization is a journey. As we look ahead, we must continue to invest in advanced analytic tools, inspection and monitoring devices, and capacity-building programs for our customs officers,” urged Eng. Tanui, emphasizing that such efforts will ensure that Kenya remains a leader in facilitating trade across the East African region and beyond.
The PS reiterated that the government through the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy in partnership with other stakeholders including the private sector has been dedicated to nurture and grow the economy. “That is why we are investing heavily by deploying an additional 100,000 kilometers of fiber as part of our bottom-up transformation agenda to connect government offices and institutions estimated at 74,000 across the country so that they can be part of our digital government and equally enable our private sector to be digitized and connect our businesses and homes with broadband connectivity,” he announced, affirming that the establishment of 25,000 public Wi-Fi spots will spur e-commerce in markets and enhance online jobs in line with the government’s promises.
He at the same time commended customs officers, who are on the front line of ensuring the safety and integrity of the nation’s borders, on their role in reinforcing security and promised that the government will leverage advanced risk management systems, enhance intelligence sharing with international counterparts, and strengthen partnerships with other law enforcement agencies to combat any threats. “We appreciate the multi-agency secretariat, chaired by my colleague Interior PS Dr. Raymond Omolo, in making these efforts to make the work of our customs officers better,” he added, decrying that smuggling of contraband goods, money laundering, and trapping of endangered species, are issues that not only threaten national security but also undermine economic stability as the country strives for efficiency.
While he urged all stakeholders to continue building a strong partnership with government agencies, private sector, and the public to address challenges together, the PS maintained that efficiency and security are critical as the means to achieve prosperity as a nation. Additionally, Eng. Tanui stated that sustainable prosperity will create an environment where trade thrives, providing Kenyan citizens the opportunity to prosper.
According to the PS, it requires a balanced approach to revenue collection, ensuring that every duty and tax is collected efficiently and transparently, to facilitate the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country to address the unemployment challenge. Echoing the PS’s sentiments, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga also commended the border customs officers and other administrators for the role they play in securing the country’s border points in line with national policies to block the smuggling of contraband goods, money laundering, and smuggling of drugs that may endanger the lives of the citizens.
“You have enabled KRA to efficiently facilitate legitimate trade without hindrances while protecting the country from threats posed by organized crime, smugglers, commercial fraudsters, terrorists and even goods that could endanger our citizenry,” he emphasized, citing such efforts to have consequently contributed to the success of the revenue collection agency, KRA. Wattanga mentioned that the support from the national government and other stakeholders has enabled KRA to record an increase in revenue collection and implement world-class systems that have enabled Kenya to emerge as a technical gateway to the East Africa Community.
“It is through your efforts that KRA registered a 4.9 percent increase in customs revenue after collecting Ksh. 791.368 billion during the financial year 2023-2024, compared to the financial year 2022-2023, which cumulatively contributed to the 11.1 percent (Ksh. 2.407 trillion) in general revenue growth that KRA collected in the financial year 2023-2024,” he revealed, regarding it as a remarkable result attributed to the implementation of world-class customs infrastructure, professionalism, and adoption of good policies. Further, Wattanga underscored the pivotal contributions that the government has continued to give to KRA as it discharges its mandate, quoting that it has propelled the tax agency to greater achievements.
“Customs does not operate in isolation. The progress we celebrate today is not ours alone but a result of our collaboration with government agencies, the private sector, other customs administrations and the public,” he asserted, expressing confidence that the government will not relent on its support. In her remarks, Dr. Lilian Nyawanda, the Commissioner Customs and Border Control, boasted of the One-Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) which have set the benchmark for efficient regional trade facilitation, significantly reducing clearance times by 50 percent, increasing trade volumes and strengthening regional partnerships through integrated border management.
She disclosed that significant progress has also been made towards the operationalization of seven newly gazetted points of entry and exit including West Pokot County (Kenya-Uganda border), Narok County (Kenya-Tanzania border), Marsabit County (Kenya-Ethiopia border), Turkana County (Kenya-Uganda border), Turkana County (Kenya-Ethiopia border), Mandera County (Kenya-Ethiopia border), and Lamu, County (Kenya-Somalia border).