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KRA’s digital customs move a game changer

KRA headquarters

A client seeking services at KRA headquarters, Times Tower, Nairobi on February 23, 2024.

Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi|Nation Media Group

The decision by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to transform customs and border control systems using artificial intelligence (AI) is a strategic leap that will help to secure trade routes, intercept high-risk cargo and modernise enforcement.

In an era of complex cross-border threats and rising cargo volumes, the country is betting on intelligent automation to outmanoeuvre illicit traders.

At the heart of this transformation is the deployment of AI-powered scanners at the Port of Mombasa. These high-speed, drive-through machines will be scanning every container, analysing images in real time to detect hidden goods, misdeclarations and restricted items. Unlike traditional systems, these scanners continuously learn, reducing false positives and sharpening detection with each scan.

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KRA is extending this capability to major land crossings like Busia and Malaba, replacing manual inspections with technology. Cargo data is funnelled into a centralised command centre, where real-time risk profiles are generated and cross-checked against declarations. Border posts once defined by congestion and delay are now becoming streamlined, intelligence-led checkpoints.

With this move, KRA is shifting from reactive seizure to predictive interdiction. AI systems flag anomalies based on origin, cargo patterns and historical trends, giving customs officers the tools to act with focus and foresight. Already, this has translated into fewer leaks, faster clearance for compliant goods, and tighter control over illicit shipments.

To reinforce border security and accelerate identity checks, Kenya is also overhauling airport operations. New biometric systems will enable facial recognition and automated e-gates at airports, reducing impersonation and enhancing traveller flow. This biometric layer complements the AI backbone, creating a full-spectrum security system at points of entry.

KRA plans to scale these systems throughout 2025, expanding AI coverage to additional border points, integrating biometric authentication infrastructure, and retraining staff to manage enforcement through data rather than paperwork.

This isn’t just a digital upgrade—it’s a redefinition of how borders function.

Kennedy Kamande