The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has raised concerns over increasing cases of vandalism and theft of cargo tracking seals along the busy Mombasa-Malaba highway. The devices, which are part of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), play a critical role in monitoring transit goods from Mombasa to their final destinations, helping KRA scale up revenue collection and ensure cargo security.
According to KRA Deputy Commissioner in charge of Border Control and Enforcement, Chege Macharia, the rampant theft of these seals is driven not by the intention to steal the cargo but to remove the batteries from the devices for domestic use. He revealed that the stolen batteries are primarily used to power homes in rural counties like Busia.
“The motivation behind the theft is not about stealing cargo but to remove the batteries from the seals for domestic use. They charge them using electricity for lighting homes because they believe that they retain power for a long period,” Macharia explained.
The issue has sparked an outcry from long-distance truck drivers who are bearing the brunt of the thefts. Drivers report that the theft of seals makes it difficult for them to get clearance when crossing borders, leading to hefty fines imposed by KRA. Each lost or damaged device can incur a fine of $2,500 (Ksh 322,550), a cost that many drivers feel is excessive.
Sudi Mwatela, chairman of the Kenya Long Distance Drivers Association (KLDDA), described the situation as a “thorn in the flesh” for drivers. He called on authorities to intensify patrols along the highway to protect the devices, citing cases where thieves have struck at night when the vehicles are parked or when devices are damaged in accidents.
Macharia assured stakeholders that the KRA has formed a special task force to address the issue. The team, comprising members from the National Police Service (NPS), National Intelligence Service (NIS), and KRA, has already started investigations and is following leads to trace the stolen devices.
“We are on top of things. Already we have some leads on where these devices are. We are appealing to members of the public to volunteer information to the police so that we can arrest those involved and put an end to this menace,” he said.
The RECTS system, a collaboration between KRA and revenue authorities in Uganda and Rwanda, uses satellites, a monitoring center, and special electronic seals fitted on cargo trucks to track goods in real-time from Mombasa to their final destinations across East Africa. The initiative was implemented as part of the government’s strategy to improve tax collection, enforce cargo handling regulations, and position Kenya as a preferred trade route.
The theft of the tracking seals not only disrupts the monitoring of cargo but also affects the trust and security of Kenya’s transport corridor, which serves as a key trade route in the region. Macharia emphasized that simultaneous raids will be conducted in affected areas along the highway to recover stolen devices and curb the trend.
KRA’s swift response aims to protect both cargo security and Kenya’s trade competitiveness. However, truck drivers continue to urge for a more balanced approach, calling for enhanced security measures that do not unduly burden them financially.
