NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) Customs and Border Control (C&BC) Department has posted a remarkable revenue collection of Kshs. 879.329 billion for the 2024/2025 Financial Year—an 11.1% growth over the previous year, significantly outpacing the 4.9% recorded in FY 2023/24.
This strong performance translates to a 105.9% achievement rate against the department’s annual target and an average daily collection of Kshs. 3.546 billion. The growth was buoyed by strong showings in both oil and non-oil tax streams, robust enforcement operations, and strategic trade facilitation initiatives.
Non-Oil taxes rose by 10.3% to Kshs. 541.053 billion, while Oil Taxes surged by 12.5% to reach Kshs. 338.276 billion. January 2025 emerged as a standout month, with the department collecting a historic Kshs. 82.554 billion—posting a record-high performance rate of 121.1% during the third quarter.
Import Duty registered an impressive 18.3% growth, closing at Kshs. 157.870 billion. The agriculture and steel sectors were standout performers with growths of 67% and 39%, respectively. Excise Duty also expanded by 11.6% to Kshs. 125.3 billion.
The Railway Development Levy (RDL) and Road Maintenance Levy (RML) grew by 15.0% and 50.9% respectively, with the RML benefitting from a rate hike from Kshs. 18 to Kshs. 25 per litre. Oil volume growth—particularly in petrol (10.7%), diesel (13.8%), and other energy products (13.7%)—further supported the revenue surge.
A key driver of the increased Non-Oil revenue was a 37.4% reduction in tax exemptions on imports like sugar, rice, and cooking oil.
KRA’s ramped-up enforcement operations yielded significant wins. Through advanced cargo scanning and data-driven risk profiling, authorities intercepted illicit goods worth Kshs. 549 million by the end of June 2025. One of the most notable seizures involved over 40,000 litres of smuggled ethanol concealed in imported molasses.
Efforts to curb contraband and close revenue leakage points bore fruit, particularly in the Western and Rift Valley regions, where revenue collections soared by 122% and 117%, respectively. Meanwhile, ports and bonded warehouses saw collection growth of 15% and 17%, respectively.
Enhanced enforcement on motor vehicle imports also contributed, with a 0.8% increase in revenue per vehicle recorded.
In a major stride towards improving efficiency, KRA introduced centralized clearance processes, cutting average cargo clearance time by a significant 62%—from 110 hours to just 42 hours.
To support trade across the Northern Corridor—a key route connecting Kenya to South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Uganda—KRA established three new trade facilitation centres in Kainuk, Lodwar, and Kakuma within Turkana County. These centres are expected to play a crucial role in supporting regional commerce and compliance.
KRA’s Customs and Border Control Department’s robust performance not only reflects effective enforcement and policy reforms but also underscores the growing importance of data, intelligence, and digital systems in modern tax administration.
As Kenya eyes even greater integration with regional markets, such efforts are set to be vital in maintaining fiscal resilience and economic competitiveness.
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