NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 1 – The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted 40 smartphones valued at about Sh8.2 million at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), after Customs officers found the devices concealed in the luggage of a passenger arriving from Dubai.

The smartphones, comprising iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models, were discovered during routine screening at Terminal 1A International Arrivals.

The devices were spread across three small suitcases and a backpack and had not been declared to Customs.

KRA said the passenger initially told officers that he was transiting through Kenya to a neighboring country by road, but checks on his passport and travel history showed several short trips between Kenya and Dubai in September.

The passenger entered Kenya on September 15 and left two days later, before returning on September 19 and departing the following day. He entered again on September 21, left on September 22 and returned on September 23.

“Following the scan, Customs officers conducted further checks and recovered the smartphones concealed within the passenger’s luggage,” KRA said.

“During interrogation, the passenger stated that he was transiting through Kenya to a neighboring country by road.”

Further questioning established that the passenger was allegedly acting as a courier for a Dubai-based client and that the smartphones were destined for Kenya.

The devices have since been deposited at the Customs Warehouse pending clearance and verification.

The interception comes as Customs authorities increasingly rely on baggage scanners, travel data and risk-based screening to identify undeclared goods at Kenya’s entry points.

KRA said travellers are required to declare goods subject to Customs control and warned against carrying goods on behalf of third parties without establishing their compliance requirements.