KISUMU: Contraband goods and illicit drugs valued at Sh100,000,000 were destroyed in Kisumu today during a joint multi-agency enforcement operation.

Led by Kisumu County Commissioner Mohamed Ramadhan, state agencies set the outlawed products ablaze, marking a renewed crack down on counterfeit goods, smuggling, and illegal substances within the lakeside city.

The bulk of the destroyed inventory consisted of uncustomed cigarettes, counterfeit bottled water, and illicit alcohol, primarily consisting of cheap, untaxed imports.

“We destroy all of them to ensure they do not find their way back into the market. Some of these products, like the alcohol, were smuggled into the country illegally. They are sold cheaply, thereby offering unfair competition to genuine, tax-paying businesses,” Mr. Ramadhan stated.

He further warned of the public health risks involved, adding, “Some of these illicit alcoholic substances are highly dangerous. Because they are sold at throwaway prices, they easily attract young people, which we must prevent.”

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) representative Nancy Chemutai emphasized that cracking down on illicit trade is critical to safeguarding the local manufacturing ecosystem from market distortion.

“Genuine manufacturers comply with regulations and pay their fair share of taxes to the government. We must protect them from unscrupulous traders who are taking shortcuts,” Chemutai noted.

She added that similar multi-agency enforcement exercises are concurrently underway in Voi and Nairobi to seal regional smuggling loops.