The Anti-Counterfeit Agency (ACA) has highlighted the issue of the smuggling of cheap sugar across the Kenya-Uganda border that is proving to be a habit.
The smuggling of sugar in the country has become a great nightmare for the sugar industry.
On Friday, a lorry was confiscated by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials smuggling in 200 bags of sugar valued at Sh1 million at the Endebess-Kitale road.
The ACA regional officer, Yussuf Ahmed said that on top of impounding the lorry, they also found 250 empty bags branded with a Ugandan company logo inside it. This confirmed what the ACA officials were suspecting sugar was smuggled into the country and repackaged into bags with Kenyan company logos.
“This is a serious economic crime that is a big blow to our local sugar processing companies that are already grappling with a myriad of market challenges,” said Ahmed.
The impounded sacks had been addressed to Lugazi Sugar Company, GM Sugar, Kamuli, and MSIL-Mayuge Sugar Company located in Jinja, Uganda, while the sugar was packaged in Nzoia and Butali Sugar Company bags.
“Ninety-nine bags of the seized sugar were repackaged in Nzoia Sugar Company bags and 101 in Butali Sugar Company packages,’’ stated Ahmed.
The Trans Nzoia administration police commandant, Nicholas Oyoko said officers who guard the border discovered what was happening when they confiscated the lorry, which had entered the country illegal.