Ports agency, KRA implement new changes after Ruto’s directive

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) have implemented directives issued by President William Ruto aimed at bolstering revenue collection and optimising port performance.

Last month, Ruto issued a raft of orders among them 24-hour operations by the two and other State agencies, reducing weighbridges along the Northern Corridor (Mombasa-Malaba) and addressing red tape on cargo verification.

In a Communique after a joint KPA and KRA board meeting, KPA Chairman Benjamin Tayari and his KRA counterpart Anthony Mwaura announced that bureaucracy around bunkering had been resolved.

They said this follows the president’s directive in which he had issued a two-week ultimatum for the corporations to resolve bureaucracy issues on bunkering. Bunkering is refuelling of cargo vessels – an activity that is performed daily at ports all around the world. Typically, barges carrying fuel will be moved alongside a vessel with the assistance of tugboats.

Once there, they follow a strict protocol to ensure refuelling is done safely. Bunkering can be done while a ship is docked or while it is at anchor in a harbour.
“The boards have directed the two corporations to immediately undertake regular surveillance to ensure that this initiative is not abused…On verification of transshipment and transit cargo, there will be no verification for trans-shipment cargo,” stated the communique.