Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring the Port of Mombasa remains efficient and globally competitive amid rising cargo volumes.
Speaking during a special consultative session with port community stakeholders at the headquarters of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in Mombasa, Chirchir called for stronger collaboration among government agencies and port users to enhance system interoperability and safeguard seamless trade flows through Kenya’s main seaport.
The CS noted that coordinated operational measures by key government agencies have significantly reduced vessel waiting time, with the number of ships at anchorage dropping from a high of 20 earlier this year to seven currently.
“This progress demonstrates what we can achieve through inter-agency coordination and shared accountability,” Chirchir said, urging stakeholders to sustain the momentum.
Chirchir announced a mix of short-term and long-term interventions aimed at easing pressure on the busy port. These include:
• Development of additional berths at the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone
• Full operationalisation of the Port of Lamu
• Acquisition of modern cargo-handling equipment
• Automation initiatives to streamline port operations
He further urged cargo interveners to embrace a 24/7 work schedule to complement KPA’s round-the-clock operations and accelerate cargo evacuation.
Equipment Boost to Enhance Capacity
KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto revealed that the Authority has awarded tenders for additional cargo-handling equipment to boost productivity and strengthen vessel and yard operations.
The new acquisitions include:
• 14 Reach Stackers
• 43 Terminal Tractors
• 11 Forklifts
Additionally, the tendering process is ongoing for the procurement of 10 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes and two Ship-to-Shore Gantry cranes.
Capt. Ruto said the equipment expansion forms part of a structured capacity enhancement programme designed to align terminal performance with rising cargo throughput and mitigate congestion risks during peak cycles.
Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar congratulated KPA for the Port of Mombasa’s impressive performance, recording 45.46 million tonnes of cargo in 2025 — up from 41 million tonnes in 2024.
Stakeholders at the meeting praised Capt. Ruto’s hands-on leadership and accessibility, noting improvements in operational responsiveness and stakeholder engagement.
GOE Act to Reshape State Corporations
Meanwhile, Chirchir announced that under the Government Owned Enterprises (GOE) Act, commercially viable entities such as KPA will operate as Public Limited Companies (PLCs) to enhance accountability and profitability.
He said the implementation of the GOE Act, 2025, is expected to improve operational efficiency across state corporations by streamlining governance structures and decision-making processes.
“The GOE will be a big game changer, allowing organisations like KPA to be run more like the private sector,” Chirchir said.
The reforms, combined with infrastructure expansion and equipment modernisation, are expected to reinforce the Port of Mombasa’s position as a strategic regional gateway serving East and Central Africa.
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