At the invitation of the Commissioner General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Mr. Githii Mburu, WCO Secretary General Kunio Mikuriya visited Nairobi, Kenya on 3 and 4 February 2020 to discuss the newly implemented Customs reforms.

Dr. Mikuriya met with KRA’s management team, led by the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Francis Muthaura, and discussed a broad range of issues relating to the way KRA aims to learn from the challenges it is facing and transform them into opportunities. These challenges include the active use of technologies, addressing revenue fraud through the exchange and harmonization of valuation risk data, improving performance through reviewing data and enhancing coordinated border management, and strengthening communication channels with the WCO by assigning staff to Brussels.

Referring to technology, KRA’s Commissioner of Customs, Mr. Kevin Safari, explained how the newly established “Integrated Scanner Command Centre” and the “Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System” contribute to curbing diversion of transit cargo, reducing incidences of mis-declaration and tackling illicit trade. He also presented the “Nairobi Inland Container Depot”, equipped with an advanced railway cargo clearance system that reduces the average clearance time from 7-10 to 4 days, with collaboration by partner agencies including Kenya Railway, Kenya Port Authority and Kenya Bureau of Standards.

Secretary General Mikuriya visited the WCO East and Southern Africa (ESA) Regional Office for Capacity Building in Nairobi, thanking KRA for hosting the Office and for its contribution to supporting regional activities. He also visited Kenya National Treasury and discussed further assistance for KRA in order to improve Customs performance and strengthen the supply chain.

Dr. Mikuriya also welcomed KRA’s use of innovative technologies and its support for developing a pool of trainers under the Master Trainer Program.