The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has seized illicit cigarettes worth approximately Sh12 million following a multi-agency operation in Gatundu North, Kiambu County.
The seizure was made on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, in Mutuma area, where enforcement officers raided premises suspected to be used by a major distributor and retailer of illicit cigarettes.
According to KRA, the operation was triggered by intelligence indicating that a consignment of illicit cigarettes had been delivered to the premises using a Toyota Noah.
Officers from KRA’s Investigation and Enforcement Department and Micro and Small Taxpayers Enforcement Department in Thika, alongside the Gatundu North Sub-County Police Commander, conducted a search of the premises.
The operation led to the recovery of 204 boxes of Super Match cigarettes, comprising 76 boxes containing 10,000 sticks each and 128 boxes containing 5,000 sticks each.
The officers also seized two boxes of ORIS Slim Double Apple cigarettes, each containing 10,000 sticks, an additional 5,800 sticks of the same brand and 600 sticks of ORIS Slim Strawberry cigarettes.
KRA said the recovered cigarettes had an estimated value of Sh12 million.
A Crime Scene Investigation team from Thika documented and processed the scene, while KRA enforcement officers issued a Notice of Offence.
The seized cigarettes were subsequently transported to the KRA warehouse in Thika, where they were secured pending further action.
KRA said the operation was part of its ongoing efforts to disrupt the distribution of illicit goods through intelligence-led enforcement and collaboration with other security agencies.
The Authority added that it would continue targeting illicit trade to protect government revenue, safeguard consumers and ensure businesses complying with tax regulations are not disadvantaged by illegal operators.
The operation comes amid KRA’s continued efforts to combat illicit trade, which undermines legitimate businesses and deprives the government of tax revenue.
