The Kenya Revenue Authority will reduce the clearance benchmark for general consolidated cargo from Ksh.2.5 million to Ksh.2 million following President William Ruto's intervention in a dispute with small-scale traders. The government will also remove the Advance Cargo Declaration requirement as part of efforts to streamline cargo clearance.
2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
President William Ruto has ordered a review of the Ksh.3.2 million customs clearance charge for consolidated cargo following protests by small-scale traders. He proposed that containers carrying ordinary goods continue to pay Ksh.2 million, while those containing high-value goods undergo further assessment based on item value.
2 September 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The Kenya Revenue Authority has integrated its electronic tax invoicing system (eTIMS) with the government's central payment platform (IFMIS), creating an automated checkpoint that prevents suppliers from receiving state payments without a clean tax record. Suppliers must now generate valid eTIMS invoices matching their tax records before processing payment claims through IFMIS.
2 September 2026 · The Standard →
President William Ruto has ordered a crackdown on foreign nationals engaged in hawking and small-scale trading, saying the government will protect local traders from unfair competition. Ruto said a Bill before Parliament seeks to restrict foreigners from certain trading activities and that administrative action will begin the following week.
2 September 2026 · The Standard →
The Government has lowered the benchmark for general consolidated cargo from Sh2.5 million to Sh2 million following consultations with President William Ruto and traders, aimed at easing costs for Kenyan traders and small and medium-sized enterprises. Existing rates for ready-made garments, footwear and fabrics will remain unchanged, and the Advance Cargo Declaration requirement will be removed to streamline clearance.
2 September 2026 · The Standard →
The Kenya Revenue Authority increased the customs minimum benchmark value for consolidated cargo by 28 per cent, raising the valuation benchmark for shared cargo from Sh2.5 million to Sh3.2 million per container. Small-scale traders and activists protested the change, characterizing it as punitive taxation, but the author argues the measure warrants scrutiny beyond outrage.
2 September 2026 · The Standard →
Kenya's public debt reached Sh13 trillion in June, with debt servicing consuming about Sh7 of every Sh10 in tax revenue, limiting the government's capacity to provide essential services like healthcare and creating fewer opportunities for Kenyans to earn a living.
2 September 2026 · The Standard →