Nairobi Clamp Down Causes Cargo Pile Up

Around 1,000 containers are being held at the Nairobi Inland Container Depot (ICD), resulting in a pile up of cargo. 

The containers, which belong to small-scale traders, are either being held on suspicion of tax evasion or of containing counterfeit goods following a clampdown by the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Kenya Bureau of Standards. They are awaiting inspection by the authorities before their release.

In reaction to the pile up President Kenyatta has visited the depot and ordered the vetting and registration of all cargo consolidators in order to expose tax evaders. 

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is seeking a process for clearance that will take a maximum of four days, however such turnaround times are not currently possible due to the various actors involved and the requirements for re-inspection by multiple parties.

It is estimated that Kenya loses $350 million from illicit trade.