Clearing agents divided over disposal of port equipment

By Patrick Beja

Clearing and forwarding agents are divided over the disposal of equipment by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to decongest Mombasa port.

A group led by Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (Kifwa) Mombasa branch chairman Peter Otieno called for cancellation of the disposal.

However, Kifwa national chairman Gerald Kagumo, and vice chairman Peter Mambembe, said they were not opposed to the disposal provided it was done in a transparent manner.

No Efficiency

"We have learnt that the items are obsolete, and we have no problem with that. We are interested in efficient service and we do not have any issue regarding the sale of such equipment," Kagumo said in an interview.

Mambembe said sale of such equipment has been regular at KPA, and that Kifwa had no business interfering with functions of the port.

"If the old heavy cranes are removed from the port, it can open up space to accommodate more than 500 containers," Mambembe argued.

Kagumo said Kifwa supported both the disposal of equipment and crushing of old vehicles, which have overstayed at the port to decongest the port.

Legal Action

"Kifwa supports efforts to address congestion at the port and cannot interfere with KPA policy issues unless we have reason to believe there is lack of transparency," Kagumo added.

Last week, Otieno said the equipment should be repaired and reused as Mombasa port lacked the tools to operate efficiently. Otieno said the agents were prepared to challenge the sale of boarded equipment in court.

"KPA is currently unable to transfer containers for scanning and verification, or the private container freight stations in time, due to lack of equipment which has led to persistent congestion. KPA should sell equipment only after buying new ones," Otieno said.

KPA procurement and supplies manager Yobesh Oyar said all the equipment earmarked for disposal was old and only fit for scrap metal, and cannot be used at Mombasa port.