Sugar, alcohol, cigarettes and electronics were the most common illegal goods seized by security agencies in the year up to August 2025, according to a new national security report, reports The Eastleigh Voice.
The Annual Report on the State of National Security, which covers the period from September 1, 2024, to August 2025, says other frequently traded illegal items included ethanol, medicines, cosmetics and pirated information and communication technology hardware and software. The report was presented to Parliament by President William Ruto.
It shows that security agencies seized 52,075 kg of sugar, 58,193 litres of ethanol, 24,570 litres of alcohol, 9,707 packets of cigarettes and 24,570 cartons of alcoholic drinks during the period.
Police also confiscated 338 litres of cooking oil, down from 879 litres in the same period a year earlier. Seizures of illegal fertiliser bags increased to 685 from 521, while confiscated milk rose from 2,390 litres to 3,437 litres. No illegal or fake rice was seized during the review period, compared with 19,900 units intercepted in the year ending August 2024.
The report notes a sharp drop in seizures of illegal spaghetti, which fell from 2,345 last year to just nine, a decline of about 99 per cent. Overall, the total volume of contraband and counterfeit goods seized fell to 149,565 units from 321,786 the previous year, a reduction of 53.5 per cent.
Despite the decline, the report says illegal trade remains a serious problem, hurting government revenue, local industries and public health and safety. It adds that neighbouring countries continue to be the main source of contraband goods.
To curb the problem, the government has rolled out coordinated actions aimed at disrupting illegal trade and protecting national interests. These include continued operations against contraband to break supply networks, arrest those involved and enforce trade laws.
The report says authorities are also improving cooperation at borders by increasing joint efforts among security agencies, customs officials and regulators.
Other steps include public awareness campaigns to highlight the risks of contraband goods and encourage people to report illegal trade. The government has also introduced advanced scanning and tracking systems at key entry and exit points to help detect and stop illegal shipments.
However, the report points to ongoing challenges, such as the lack of modern detection equipment at some border posts and corruption involving smugglers and dishonest officials. High demand for cheaper goods is also cited as a factor encouraging black-market trade and weakening formal businesses.
Inadequate storage facilities for seized goods were flagged as another concern, as they complicate evidence handling and court processes. The report also highlights the growing use of online platforms to sell illegal goods, especially cosmetics and medicines, making enforcement more difficult.
President Ruto said the government plans to invest in better inspection tools, including mobile scanners, surveillance cameras and digital tracking systems, to strengthen the fight against contraband.
The government also plans to deploy more officers and increase patrols along major smuggling routes. In addition, it is tightening anti-corruption measures at borders, speeding up the handling of contraband cases and improving intelligence sharing among agencies to break up illegal networks.
The report adds that the State is working more closely with private companies, especially in retail, transport and technology, to improve reporting and disrupt illegal supply chains.
