MACHAKOS, Kenya, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday evening witnessed the destruction of illicit goods worth 15 million U.S. dollars as the east African nation intensified fight against counterfeits and contraband.
The destroyed items included cars, an array of foodstuff, fake electronics, laboratory equipment, motor-vehicle spare parts, construction materials, alcoholic drinks, counterfeit cigarettes, motor-cycle tubes, energy saving bulbs, cables and sex toys.
"We shall destroy all illicit goods and deal firmly with all corrupt individuals," Kenyatta warned during the destruction in Athi River, about 40km east of Nairobi.
Kenyatta warned that the current war against corruption, contraband, counterfeits and all forms of economic crimes will not be derailed as he cautioned politicians to stop politicizing the crackdown.
"All corrupt individuals will go to jail without compromise. But due process of the law will be followed so that those who think they have been wrongly accused can demonstrate their innocence and be vindicated," he said.
The president said he will neither be scared, threatened or side-tracked in his current determination to rid the country of corruption and economic crimes, warning that no corrupt individual will be spared irrespective of their real or perceived seniority in society.
Analysts said the torching of the contraband and counterfeit goods is a major victory in the ongoing crackdown on illicit trade which costs huge sums of money in lost revenue from evaded tax since most of the products are sneaked into the country with the connivance of unethical public servants.
The team that consists of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the multi-agency team handling illicit trade have engaged in a rigorous nationwide crackdown on illicit trade and contrabands.
Kenyatta said the team has so far been able to nab and destroy contraband goods worth over 74 million dollars.
