Business

Eastleigh business community decry harassment by corrupt customs officers at JKIA

By Patel Okumu | Friday, November 3, 2023

Reports of harassment by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have sparked widespread outcry on social media, with Kenyans expressing frustration and anger over the alleged mistreatment.

Reports of harassment by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officials at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have sparked widespread outcry on social media, with Kenyans expressing frustration and anger over the alleged mistreatment. The issue has attracted the attention of Alfred Mutua, the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Tourism, who sternly condemned the reported actions of customs officers, citing their detrimental impact on tourism in Kenya.

"We cannot afford to have our tourists and visitors facing harassment and mistreatment at our airports. Such behavior not only tarnishes our country's image but also drives potential tourists away," asserted CS Alfred Mutua, emphasising the need for swift action to address the issue.

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Jomo Kenyatta International Airport

Mohammed Hersi, a seasoned hotelier, echoed the sentiments on his X account, highlighting the challenges faced by Kenyans at JKIA. His tweet shed light on the alarming situations encountered by travelers, drawing attention to the negative implications on both the tourism sector and the country's reputation.

A frequent flier who owns a business in Eastleigh, speaking on the condition of anonymity, voiced concerns about the deteriorating situation at the airport, particularly during recent times. "Under President Uhuru's tenure, there was a sense of order and respect at the entry points. However, since the Kenya Kwanza regime took power, it has been a nightmare for tourists and returning Kenyans," the individual lamented, urging President Ruto to address the rampant corruption and misconduct among customs officials.

Hussein, who was at the airport to pick up his family from the United States, recounted a distressing encounter where he was forced to pay an exorbitant amount of money to clear his wife's phone. "The officials demanded an outrageous sum, claiming it was a tax for my wife's iPhone 15," Hussein shared, highlighting the alarming extent of extortion faced by travelers.

Wambui, a frequent traveler to China for her business, expressed her dismay over the consistent harassment at JKIA, particularly in regard to confiscated goods. "The customs officers target specific items and demand hefty bribes, often several times the market price of the goods," she disclosed, expressing frustration at the corrupt practices that impact honest traders.

The grave concerns raised by affected individuals at JKIA prompted the Parliamentary Committee for Foreign Relations, Intelligence, and Defence to intervene. MP for Kamukunji, Yusuf Hassan, strongly condemned the actions of corrupt customs officers, referring to them as "wild dogs" preying on hardworking Kenyans. "It's disheartening to witness the harassment of innocent travelers, especially mothers and children, after enduring long flights," MP Yusuf Hassan emphasised, calling for immediate action to address the ongoing malpractice at the airport.