President William Ruto is now eyeing the Port of Mombasa as a key economic driver, noting that it has the potential to generate over Ksh50 billion in annual revenue if fully optimised.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the Head of State, who hosted leaders from six coastal counties of Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, and Taita Taveta, emphasised the need to transform the port into a more efficient and profitable hub.
He expressed concern that the port was currently making only Ksh6 billion, despite its capacity to earn nearly ten times that amount.
“We must do something about the Port of Mombasa to make it more efficient,” President Ruto stated.
“Imagine we are making Ksh6 billion only. We can make Ksh50 billion from the Mombasa Port. Why do we want to make Ksh6 billion when we can make Ksh50 billion? We can employ more people, make the port more efficient, and connect it to the SGR. The SGR will make money, and the port will also make money.”
Improved economy
Ruto also highlighted the improved state of the country’s economy, pointing to the strengthening of the Kenyan shilling and better borrowing terms in the financial markets.
“I am very proud that today the economy is doing well and our currency is strong. Our economy is good, and that is the reason we can discuss making roads. That is why we can do securitisation because we can go to the market and borrow at reasonable rates. There is no way we could go to the market and borrow if we had defaulted,” he added.
The President said his administration is focused on uplifting the economy of the Coastal region through strategic investments in agriculture, the blue economy, and the maritime sector.
In a statement posted on his official X account, the commander-in-chief reiterated that the government is also working to resolve historical land injustices in the region. He said the goal is to eliminate the squatter problem by issuing title deeds to residents, giving them ownership and security over their land.
“We are keen on uplifting the economy of the Coastal Region through our various interventions in agriculture, the blue economy, and the maritime sector. We are also making progress in sorting out the historical land issues in the region, eradicating the squatter problem, and issuing title deeds to residents.
At State House, Nairobi, hosted leaders from Mombasa, Tana River, Kilifi, Lamu, Kwale, and Taita Taveta Counties,” the statement read.
