KRA to Auction Unclaimed Goods at JKIA After 30 Days Notice

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced plans to auction thousands of unclaimed goods stored at warehouses in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

According to the notice, more than 3,000 people risk losing their items if they do not collect them within 30 days. The goods include personal belongings, electronics, medical equipment, and vehicle parts.

KRA announced several gazette notices published on March 24, 2026. The authority directed a total of 3,129 owners to clear their goods from different warehouses. If they fail to do so, the items will be sold through a public online auction.

Items to Be Auctioned

The unclaimed goods include a wide range of items such as:

Clothes and personal belongings
Jewellery and hair products
Phones and laptops
Motor vehicle spare parts
Specialised medical equipment

These goods are currently stored in several cargo centres at JKIA.

Where the Goods Are Stored

The items are spread across different warehouses, including:

DHL
Swissport Cargo Centre
Transglobal Cargo Centre
Kenya Airfreight Handling Limited
African Cargo Handling Limited
Forodha House

Auction Dates and Viewing

KRA has scheduled the auction in phases between April and May 2026.

Interested buyers will be allowed to view the goods before bidding. Viewing will take place on May 7 and May 8, 2026, during working hours at selected warehouses such as Swissport and African Cargo Handling Limited.

The main auction will then take place from May 11 to May 13, 2026.

Some goods stored in other facilities, like DHL and Forodha House, will be auctioned earlier, between April 27 and April 30, 2026.

Bidding will be done online through the KRA auction portal.

Why KRA Is Auctioning the Goods

KRA explained that the auction is in line with the law. Under the East African Community Customs Management Act, goods that are not cleared within 30 days can be sold.

The law allows KRA to issue a public notice before selling the items. Once the notice period ends, the authority can proceed with the auction.

However, perishable goods or animals can be sold immediately without waiting for the 30 days.

Warning to Owners

KRA is urging all affected owners to collect their goods as soon as possible to avoid losses. Once the items are auctioned, the original owners will not be able to recover them.