MOMBASA County—Jan 24, 2026—The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) have reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency at the Port of Mombasa, as part of efforts to strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional trade hub.
KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga and KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto made the remarks during a stakeholder engagement forum held at the port, where they emphasized the need to streamline port operations and address long-standing bottlenecks affecting cargo movement.
The meeting brought together key players across the logistics chain, including shipping lines, clearing and forwarding agents under the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), transporters, and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.
The two agencies recently unveiled a joint set of measures aimed at reducing cargo dwell time and accelerating customs clearance processes.
The interventions focus on improving coordination between port and customs operations, enhancing compliance, and ensuring faster evacuation of cargo, particularly long-stay containers that have continued to strain port capacity.
According to the agencies, the reforms are part of a broader government strategy to improve cargo flow at the Port of Mombasa and reinforce the competitiveness of the Northern Corridor, which serves Kenya and several landlocked countries in the region, including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Port of Mombasa remains a critical gateway for regional trade, handling millions of tonnes of cargo annually.
However, it has in recent years faced challenges ranging from congestion and prolonged clearance timelines to rising logistics costs—issues that have drawn concern from industry players and policymakers alike.
Officials said continued engagement with stakeholders will be key to ensuring the success of the new measures, noting that improved efficiency at the port is central to lowering the cost of doing business and sustaining economic growth.
