Nairobi Kenya, 20th February 2026
The World Customs Organization, East and Southern Africa Regional Office for Capacity Building (WCO ESA ROCB) joined the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), commemorated International Customs Day themed “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment” in recognition of the vital role played by Customs administrations in facilitating trade, securing borders and protecting society.
In his remarks, Commissioner General of KRA, Mr. Humphrey Wattanga, EBS, described International Customs Day as an important occasion to reflect on achievements while celebrating excellence, professionalism and commitment within the Customs fraternity. He commended Customs officers for their continued dedication to revenue mobilization and border security, noting that KRA has intensified efforts to combat illicit trade through enhanced surveillance, strengthened intelligence sharing, inter-agency collaboration and the strategic adoption of technology at points of entry.
Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, Dr. Lilian Nyawanda, noted that beyond facilitating the movement of goods and people, Customs plays a critical role in protecting society through the interception of illegal and counterfeit goods, promotion of fair trade practices and enforcement of regulatory compliance. She reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to innovation, strengthened partnerships and continuous capacity development to effectively balance trade facilitation with enforcement while supporting sustainable economic transformation.
Director of the WCO ESA ROCB, Ms. Josephine Manyasi, ‘ndc’ (K), congratulated Kenya, through KRA, for the notable progress made in advancing this year’s International Customs Day theme through sustained reform and modernization initiatives. She called upon Customs administrations to remain vigilant as protectors of society by strengthening partnerships, enhancing participation in WCO enforcement programmes and leveraging WCO tools and instruments to effectively address emerging global trade risks.
The commemoration reaffirmed the shared commitment of Customs administrations to advancing secure, transparent and efficient trade systems while protecting society and supporting sustainable economic growth.
