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Illicit goods worth Ksh500 million have been destroyed in an exercise led by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Inter-Agency Team.

In a statement, KRA said the illicit goods with an estimated tax value of Ksh150 million were destroyed at Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZ) offices in Athi River.

The goods comprising alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and ethanol, among others, had been impounded during various Inter-agency raids executed across the country in the financial year 2022/2023.

Mutembei Nyagah, the Deputy Commissioner for Domestic Taxes Department, Enforcement Division Mr. Mutembei Nyagah, revealed that the goods did not comply with various legal statutes including the Excise Duty Act 2015 and Excisable Goods Management System Act Regulations (EGMS).

The taxman urged traders to comply with set regulations to avoid their goods being confiscated.

“KRA notifies all traders and the general public that it is an offence to distribute, offer for sale or be in possession of any excisable goods manufactured or imported by unlicensed persons. The updated list of licensed manufacturers and importers of excisable goods is available on the KRA website,” KRA said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Alcoholic Beverages Association of Kenya Eric Githua lauded the Inter-Agency team for the initiative, saying illicit goods had destroyed many lives.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant for the harmful products.

Representatives from the National Police Service and the Kenya Bureau of Standards also witnessed the destruction of the illicit goods.