KRA Clarifies Eldoret Depot Demonstrations, Attributes Delays to Routine KPC System Rollover

 

 The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has dismissed allegations of service delays at its Eldoret depot, following a protest earlier today by a group of stakeholders. The demonstrators claimed inefficiencies in the clearance process, prompting a swift response from the authority.

In an official statement issued this afternoon, KRA clarified that the temporary delay experienced at the depot this morning was caused by a routine system rollover by the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC)—not by KRA’s own systems. The system hiccup, which impacted the issuance of Bills of Lading (BOLs), was resolved by midday, and operations have since returned to normal.

KRA emphasized that it has recently digitized the entire clearance process at the Eldoret depot and across other depots countrywide. The digital transformation is part of a larger integration between KRA and KPC systems aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability.

“We have shifted from a manual folder-based process to a fully paperless system,” said the Chief Manager of KRA’s Rift Valley Region. “This new approach allows real-time tracking, ensures fairness in truck queuing, and significantly reduces operational costs for oil marketers and their agents.”

Under the new system, truck clearance data is submitted via a shared spreadsheet by KPC and Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), with KRA officers processing and releasing trucks digitally. Stakeholders can now access real-time updates on each truck’s clearance status through the same platform.

The transition, while lauded for its efficiency, has not been without resistance. According to KRA, some of the stakeholders participating in today’s protest may be individuals or groups previously involved in the now-obsolete manual processes.

“Change often comes with resistance, particularly from those who benefited from the old systems,” the Chief Manager noted. “However, our focus remains on improving service delivery and maintaining transparency.”

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