The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has launched a state-of-the-art marine patrol vessel, KRA 009, as part of ongoing efforts to tighten border controls and curb illicit trade along the country’s coastline. Unveiled at the Port of Mombasa on Monday, the vessel is a strategic asset in the authority’s growing marine unit fleet and will play a pivotal role in surveillance and enforcement along the Indian Ocean.
Fitted with advanced navigation, communication, and interception systems, KRA 009 is built to withstand harsh marine conditions and swiftly respond to suspicious maritime activities. The vessel underscores KRA’s commitment to bolstering national security and promoting legitimate trade.
Speaking during the launch, KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga said the patrol boat is a key component of Kenya’s broader national security strategy. “KRA 009 is not just a vessel, it is a symbol of our unwavering resolve to defend our borders, ensure the safety of our people, and promote fair trade,” he stated.
Wattanga noted that the vessel will significantly enhance the authority’s ability to detect and deter smuggling of contraband, narcotics, counterfeit products, and illegal weapons that threaten Kenya’s economy and security. He highlighted KRA’s ongoing reforms in customs enforcement, which include advanced risk analysis, real-time inter-agency data sharing, and the deployment of K9 units.
KRA Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Lilian Nyawanda echoed Wattanga’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of marine surveillance in modern border control. She noted that illicit trade undermines revenue collection, endangers public health, and widens economic inequality.
Nyawanda cited recent enforcement figures from the Port of Mombasa, where 1,164 offences were recorded between October and December 2024, leading to the recovery of over Sh491 million in taxes and Sh77 million in penalties.
She praised the marine unit’s coordination with the Kenya Coast Guard Service, Kenya Navy, and other national security agencies, adding that inter-agency cooperation and public support remain essential in the fight against cross-border crime.
“With this vessel, we are sending a clear message: KRA is committed to protecting Kenya’s maritime borders,” she said.
