The Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) issued a notice directing its members to cease loading cargo that must be fitted with the newly mandated user‑owned electronic tracking seals.

The notice, signed by KTA chairman Newton Wang’oo, also bars transporters from purchasing, leasing or contracting for the seals until the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) establishes a mechanism that permits cost recovery through tax offsets.

KTA says the directive is a protest against KRA’s decision to shift the mandatory customs cargo‑monitoring expense from the government to the transport sector, describing the move as unfair and commercially unsustainable.

The association notes that repeated engagements with KRA have not produced an acceptable cost‑recovery arrangement, leaving transporters to bear the full financial burden.

KRA rolled out the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) on 26 October 2026, mandating that cargo under customs control be monitored exclusively with electronic devices supplied by approved private vendors.

In a notice to importers, exporters and other stakeholders, KRA indicated that existing government‑owned seals for dry cargo and motor vehicles would cease operation from that date, with private‑vendor seals taking their place.

KRA also announced a phased withdrawal of government‑owned seals for wet cargo, such as fuel, as part of the broader transition to user‑owned devices.

While acknowledging the benefits of electronic monitoring for customs compliance, KTA maintains that transporters should not be forced to fund mandatory government monitoring without an approved recovery scheme.

Wang’oo said KTA is seeking urgent legal advice and will pursue all lawful remedies, including possible court action, to protect the industry’s interests.