KRA to Auction Overstayed Imported Vehicles and Goods at Mombasa Port

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is set to auction over 200 vehicles and 223 containers with assorted goods at the Mombasa port.

The imported motor vehicles and goods, which have remained uncollected at various customs warehouses for long, will fall under the auctioneers’ hammer.

The tax authority expects to net up to Sh200 million in the auction scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday this week.

Interested bidders were invited to visit 11 warehouses at the port to view the goods, which include furniture, clothes, and electronics.

Joseph Tonui, a senior official at KRA, said the public sale aims at protecting revenue and improving efficiency at the port. 

“All procedures have been followed and we expect to collect between Sh150 million and Sh200 million,” said Tonui.

He added: “The auction coincides with the end of the financial year. The amount we will collect will boost our revenue target for the financial year which is ending this month.”

The official further clarified that some of the goods on the auction list include those unclaimed by importers, adding that the sale process will be transparent.

“We should understand not all cargo is being auctioned because owners have failed to pay taxes; some are unclaimed due to tight security by government agencies to seal off illegal importation,” he said.

“We expect many bidders, that is why we have spread the activity over two days.”