The Kenya Revenue Authority has launched an initiative to enhance revenue collection and address traffic snarl-ups at the Malaba border point.
The service centre at the Malaba One Stop Border Post will integrate government agencies and speed up clearance of outbound and inbound cargo.
The snarl-ups are caused by the long hours spent by agents moving up and down seeking clearance.
KRA deputy commissioner Chege Macharia said the service centre seeks to speedup movement of goods and people by reducing clearing time and checking revenue pilferage through smuggling and massive bribery.
“This model seeks to break down silence among government entities, build synergies and reduce delays in clearance and enhance trade both locally and internally,” he said.
The taxman expects revenue collection at the OSBP to grow by 80 per cent in the next financial year.
Currently, the Malaba OSBP handles an average of 2,000 trucks daily, 1,400 for outbound cargo and 600 for inbound cargo.
He said the post is expected to boost numbers with a revenue target of more than Sh10 billion per year.
KRA collected Sh946 million from Western in taxes in September.
Malaba OSBP accounts for more than 80 per cent of customs revenue collected by KRA at all border posts, a major boost to regional and international trade.
“The centre will play a significant role in revolutionising service delivery and establish a citizen-centred approach that improves the efficiency and effectiveness,” Macharia said.
“Our primary mandate is customer service delivery and providing a business enabling climate by reducing barriers and cost associated with doing business.”
Opening of the centre marked the culmination of the service week observation by KRA.
KRA staff served more than 200 truck drivers with coffee to express their gratitude.
KRA has experienced remarkable growth in customs revenue largely attributed to implementation of OSBP at other border points.
Macharia issued a stern warning to staff behind revenue pilferage and theft of KRA gadgets, adding that the government has set a team to crack down on the syndicates.
KRA deputy commissioner marketing and communication Grace Wandera said the institution has taken the concerns raised by truck drivers, cross-border traders and clearing agencies seriously.
“You will see drastic changes from security, operation and service delivery,” she said.
A month ago, truck drivers issued a strike notice over insecurity and inefficiency at the border point, where drivers experienced regular scanners breakdown causing snarl-up to go beyond Kanduyi.