KRA unveils patrol boat to fight illicit trade and protect revenue
The patrol boat is expected to support enforcement actions such as intercepting suspicious vessels.
A new patrol boat has joined the Kenya Revenue Authority’s Marine Unit as the agency intensifies its efforts to stop tax evasion and reduce the damage caused by illegal trade along the country's waters.
The vessel, named KRA 009, was launched in Mombasa to boost maritime enforcement and strengthen KRA’s presence at sea.
KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga said the move reflects a renewed focus on fighting illicit trade, which undermines economic growth and threatens public health and safety.
He explained that beyond collecting taxes, the authority also plays a vital role in national security through active participation in border control.
"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," Wattanga said.
He noted that criminal networks often exploit weak enforcement systems to smuggle goods into the country, denying the government much-needed revenue.
The new boat will assist in stopping these operations in areas such as the Indian Ocean and Lake Victoria.
"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.
The patrol boat is expected to support enforcement actions such as intercepting suspicious vessels, making arrests, and confiscating illegal goods in cooperation with the Kenya Coast Guard and other agencies.
Dr. Lilian Nyawanda, Commissioner of Customs and Border Controls, said that weak border controls and corruption have allowed illicit trade to thrive, leading to massive losses in public funds.
"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," she said.
She pointed out that the Border Control and Enforcement Division continues to recover unpaid taxes through constant inspections and operations.
“For instance, here at the port of Mombasa, between October and December 2024 alone, we recorded 1,164 custom enforcement offences, collecting over Sh491 million in taxes and an additional Sh77 million in fines and penalties," she said.
With the addition of the KRA 009 to its fleet, the tax authority aims to reinforce border control and secure more revenue by cutting down illegal trade in Kenya’s waters.