KRA Invites Bids For Multi-Billion-Shilling Tech Overhaul

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has invited bids for a multi-billion-shilling technological upgrade that will see the taxman deploy high-tech surveillance drones and marine patrol boats to combat tax evasion and smuggling.

The move, detailed in a new Request for Proposal (RFP), signals a shift by the Authority toward an aggressive, tech-led enforcement strategy aimed at sealing revenue leakages across Kenya’s porous borders and territorial waters.

At the heart of the transformation is the procurement of a fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and advanced Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) systems. These assets are expected to provide the KRA with real-time aerial surveillance over remote border points and transit routes that have historically been difficult to police, providing a much-needed “eye in the sky.”

To complement the aerial surveillance, the taxman is seeking specialized marine patrol boats to tighten the net on smuggling activities along the coastline and inland water bodies, which remain major conduits for illicit trade.

Centralized Command

The high-tech assets will be synchronized through a centralized Command and Control Center, allowing enforcement officers to monitor live data feeds. This hub is expected to enable faster response times and more precise interventions by the KRA’s enforcement unit.

“By reducing reliance on manual inspections and physical patrols in high-risk areas, the Authority aims to increase the safety of its staff while simultaneously improving the efficiency of cargo clearance and tax compliance,” the KRA noted in the tender documents.

The modernization drive is a key pillar of the KRA’s 9th Corporate Plan, which focuses on leveraging data and automation to meet the ambitious revenue targets set by the National Treasury.

Digital Transition

Beyond hardware, the agency is looking to integrate blockchain technology, AI-powered risk engines, and smart gates at border crossings. The move is part of a broader transition into a fully digital tax administrator, moving away from traditional, labour-intensive audit and enforcement methods.

The KRA has set a deadline of mid-February 2026 for potential partners and technology firms to submit their proposals.

Under the project timelines, the implementation of the drone and marine surveillance systems is expected to be completed within 18 months of the contract award. This will usher in a new era of high-tech tax enforcement, potentially setting a benchmark for revenue authorities in the East African region.

The Authority has previously credited its use of technology, specifically the iTax and Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), for the steady growth in revenue collection despite a challenging economic environment.