KRA to Deploy 72 New Cargo Scanners in Major Customs Modernization Drive

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is set to significantly expand its cargo inspection capabilities, with plans to procure 72 additional scanners for deployment across the country's major ports, airports, and land border crossings.

The move represents one of the most ambitious upgrades to Kenya's customs infrastructure in recent years, with far-reaching implications for trade facilitation, supply chain efficiency, and revenue compliance.

The new equipment will complement KRA's current operational fleet of 33 serviceable scanners already deployed at border stations, airports, and ports nationwide.

The existing network comprises a diverse range of scanning technologies, including fixed and railway scanners, drive-through units, mobile and palletized scanners, as well as baggage inspection systems, reflecting the varied nature of cargo entry points across the country.

The impact of scanner technology on customs operations has been transformative. According to Tabitha Wanyama, KRA's Manager for Customs Warehouse, Customs and Border Control Southern Region, the shift from manual to scanner-based inspection has delivered a dramatic leap in throughput.

For procurement and supply chain professionals, the implications of this investment are significant. Faster cargo clearance translates directly into shorter lead times, reduced warehousing costs, and more predictable supply chain cycles.

KRA has indicated that the expanded scanner network will support faster movement of goods, strengthen revenue collection, and help lower logistics and production costs for businesses operating in and through Kenya.

The procurement drive also signals Kenya's broader intent to tighten enforcement against smuggling, tax evasion, and illicit trade, activities that not only erode government revenue but also distort market conditions and create unfair competition for compliant businesses.

As East Africa's primary trade gateway, Kenya's ability to process cargo efficiently has continental significance, and this investment reinforces the country's commitment to positioning itself as a competitive, transparent, and business-friendly logistics hub.