Record Surge: Weapons and Porn Seized at JKIA, KRA Raises Alarm
A new trend has emerged that has resulted in the unauthorized importation of prohibited and restricted items, including firearms and pornographic material, into Kenya, according to the Kenya Revenue Authority.
The agency stated in a statement dated Tuesday that the prevalence of the trend has increased over the past three months, with five percent of containers scanned at entry points being flagged for such materials.
Additional items that were identified during the scanning phase and were highlighted by the KRA were high-end mobile phones, drones, and narcotic drugs.
During a media tour of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the Tourism Cabinet Secretary unveiled several contraband items, including sex devices. The KRA issued the following statement in response.
In the future, certain prohibited materials will require travelers to declare them before they enter the country.
The Authority affirmed its commitment to maintaining a state of constant vigilance to prevent the entry of prohibited materials into the country.
“From July to October of the financial year 2023/23; after the non-intrusive scanning of all baggage, KRA on average flagged out 5 percent of all scanned bags which were processed in line with applicable Customs regulations on passenger categorization,” read the statement in part.
Commissioner General of the KRA Humphrey Wattanga stated that the taxman will further utilize technological advancements to prevent the entry of prohibited materials into the country.
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“We have further enhanced our processes through the use of technology to aid correct identification and verification of all baggage and imported items.
“Border control is a matter of national security and we are going to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure the public is adequately sensitized on requirements for entry into Kenya,” he reiterated.
Conversely, Tourism CS Alfred Mutua, who accompanied the KRA officials on the tour, stated that measures were being implemented to ensure the seamless enforcement of government policies, including taxation, at the points of entry into the country.
He elaborated that the collaboration among the governmental entities was designed to improve the overall experience for passengers at Kenyan airports in response to the multitude of harassment complaints.
International and domestic travelers have lodged complaints at Kenyan airports, including JKIA, regarding harassment and the seizure of their belongings.
Record Surge: Weapons and Porn Seized at JKIA, KRA Raises Alarm
