KPA Lauded for Enhancing Business by Streamlining Transport

By Catherine Muema On Jun 21, 2024

Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto during the joint engagement session organized by the Private Sector of Rwanda in collaboration with KPA in Kigali, Rwanda.

By Shadrack Nyakoe

The private sector in Rwanda has commended Kenya Ports Authority’s efforts in streamlining the efficiency of the northern transport corridor to facilitate ease of conducting business.

This was noted during a joint engagement session organized by the Private Sector of Rwanda in collaboration with KPA in Kigali, Rwanda, bringing together policy makers, the private sector, and development partners on the challenges and opportunities in the transport and logistics sector.

Rwanda’s Minister of Trade and Industry Jean-Chrysostome Ngabitsinze, lauded the government of Kenya and KPA for facilitating regional trade.

Addressing the meeting, KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto, highlighted the strategic initiatives employed by KPA to ensure the resilience and competitiveness of the Port of Mombasa and other port facilities, which are crucial for supporting and maintaining efficient logistics chains in the region.

Rwanda serves as a significant transit market for the Port of Mombasa, with performance data indicating a consistent increase in Rwanda-bound cargo passing through Mombasa.

Last year the Port of Mombasa handled 520,201 metric tons of cargo compared to 429,857 metric tons recorded in 2022 representing a 21 percent growth.

Through ongoing stakeholder engagements, the national government, in conjunction with KPA and other relevant government agencies, has been implementing initiatives aimed at transforming the northern transport corridor into a reliable and efficient corridor.

One of the notable initiatives includes KPA’s extension of the free storage period for transit customers from nine to 15 days.

The operational Naivasha Inland Container Depot offers transit customers the advantage of reduced transit times for their cargo by integrating freight transport through the linkage of the Standard Gauge Railway and Metre Gauge Railway from the Port of Mombasa to the border town of Malaba.

Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary Ministry of Infrastructure Mr. Fidele Abimana, Trademark Africa Rwanda Country Director Rosine Uwamaria were among those who participated in the discussions.