The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing and prosecuting perpetrators of illicit trade and smuggling, warning that the illegal activities undermine legitimate businesses and distort fair competition in the market.
Speaking during an alma mater visit to Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Secondary School in Mombasa on Monday, KRA Commissioner for Investigations and Enforcement, Mohamed Abdul M’maka, said the authority has sufficient capacity, manpower, and strategic partnerships to combat smuggling networks operating across the country.
“We have the capacity in terms of manpower and our strategic partnerships with other government agencies. We have a footprint across border points in the country, where part of the work we do is collect intelligence on the perpetrators of these illicit trade schemes,” M’maka said.
He noted that the department’s mandate includes the detection, disruption, and deterrence of tax evasion and illicit trade, as well as the investigation and prosecution of offenders.
“We investigate, prosecute, and deter tax evasion schemes perpetrated by offenders,” he said, adding that although the majority of taxpayers remain compliant, the department focuses on non-compliant individuals and businesses to safeguard the integrity of the tax system.
M’maka acknowledged the existence of resource constraints but maintained that they do not hinder the department’s effectiveness, citing collaboration and intelligence-sharing with other government agencies as key tools in the fight against illicit trade.
The visit was part of KRA’s Alma Mater Programme, an initiative that sees the authority’s leadership and staff return to their former schools to mentor students, share personal success stories, and promote tax awareness and civic responsibility among young people.
The programme is currently being rolled out in 32 selected secondary schools across the country, with Sheikh Khalifa Secondary School among the institutions participating in the initiative.
M’maka said the programme aims to instil a culture of voluntary tax compliance among learners at an early stage before they transition into higher learning institutions and eventually join the workforce.
“The only way we can impart those values is by reaching learners while they are still young and in school,” he said.
As part of the visit, KRA launched a Tax Club at the school to provide students with a platform to engage in discussions on taxation, civic responsibility, and national development.
School principal Rishad Ramadhan welcomed the initiative, describing M’maka’s return as a proud moment for the institution and an inspiration to current students.
“It has been a great honour and a joy to host one of our own,” he said, adding that the commissioner’s rise to one of the country’s top public service positions reflected the school’s values of discipline, faith, and hard work.
