Members of Parliament (MPs) from the National Assembly’s Regional Integration Committee have pledged to push for legislative solutions to long-standing trade and logistics challenges after a fact-finding visit to the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in Mombasa.
Led by Committee Chairperson Irene Mayaka, the MPs toured key facilities at the Port of Mombasa, including the Container Terminal 2 and the recently revamped Berth 1 cruise terminal.
The visit aimed to assess the port’s role in facilitating regional trade and to listen firsthand to the concerns raised by port officials and stakeholders.
KPA Managing Director, Captain William Ruto, briefed the legislators on the hurdles the authority faces in ensuring efficient cargo movement.
Despite government efforts to streamline operations—such as reducing cargo clearing agencies from 27 to just four—Captain Ruto said bottlenecks still persist along the Northern Corridor.
“When containers leave the port, they usually have a seal which is proof that all necessary charges have been settled,” Captain Ruto said.
Integrated digital system
He emphasised the need for better coordination and automation of weighbridge systems, suggesting that an integrated digital system with a set margin of tolerance could significantly improve cargo compliance and turnaround times.
Mayaka acknowledged the concerns, promising that the Committee would follow up with legislative interventions aimed at removing non-tariff barriers and improving infrastructure efficiency.
“We shall follow up on non-tariff barriers along the Northern Corridor, advocate for incentives for potential investors in the Blue Economy, push for modern scanning technology at the port and enhance the security of the cargo along the LAPSSET and Northern Corridor,” she said.
Trade concerns
The MPs also engaged with port officials on broader issues impacting Kenya’s competitiveness as a regional trade hub, such as arbitrary fees imposed by various agencies and the urgent need for more modern, secure, and transparent systems.
Their visit signals growing parliamentary interest in making Kenya’s ports and transport corridors more business-friendly—a move seen as essential in boosting the country’s regional trade footprint.
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