Kenya’s multi-agency team has come up with measures to reduce bottlenecks and improve efficiency at the port of Mombasa. One of these measures is directing all agencies handling cargo to clear them within 24 hours. The government has also merged its clearance system with that of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has been directed to open its 24-hour operation office within the port. Additionally, logging into the integrated cargo acceptance and clearance system before the booked vessel docks at the port will avoid ship delays. Export cargo that will not be logged into the system at their time of acceptance will not be approved for export.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated that KPA and KRA are expected to operate 24 hours a day as the government aims to achieve a zero long-stay containers policy at the port. The move will help in tracking cargo in one system without duplication of duties in two different government cargo handling agencies. The government aims to facilitate exporters as export of goods has been delayed due to cargo clearance delays.
The meeting was co-chaired by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Trade counterpart Moses Kuria, and attended by KPA chairman Benjamin Tayari, Managing Director Captain William Ruto, KRA chairman Anthony Mwaura, and Kenya Bureau of Standards chairman Jeremiah Kinyua. To speed up cargo screening, the government is considering increasing scanners and equipment to enable the agencies to focus on efficient service delivery.
