The Kenya Revenue Authority is expected to auction 314 vehicles and 223 containers that are being held at the port of Mombasa over tax on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
KRA Coast Region Coordinator Joseph Tunoi said the vehicles are being held at various Container Freight Stations (CFSs) and the containers, which have assorted household items, clothes and shoes, are being held at the Custom Warehouse within the port of Mombasa.
Addressing the media in his office in Mombasa, the regional boss described this week’s auction as “historic” because it will be a two-day event.
“For the first time, we are going to run a customs auction for two consecutive days. It is scheduled for June 23 and 24. This is because of the big number of motor vehicles and containers that are put on auction,” said Tonui.
He said they have also set a two-day auction to also adhere to Covid-19 protocols.
“The process will be very transparent. Every Kenya has an equal chance to bid for whatever they wish to buy,” he added.
The objective of the auction, he said, is to protect revenue.
“These are majorly containers that have overstayed. We want to clear congestion at the port, encourage efficiency and facilitate trade. We are also in the business of protecting our revenue,” he said.
He said they expect to raise between Sh150 million and Sh200 million revenue in those two days.
“In the last auction, which was held sometime last month, we collected about Sh53 million revenue,” said Tonui.