President Uhuru Kenyatta orders port officials to streamline operations

By Standard Digital Reporter
NAIROBI, KENYA: President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered all Government departments involved in the running of the Port of Mombasa to streamline and synergize their operations in order to enhance efficiency.

President Kenyatta directed that the multiple players in Government involved in Port operations be properly coordinated under the leadership of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director who will have direct control over all operations.

The President was speaking today at State House, Nairobi during a meeting he called specifically to address inefficiencies at the Port.

The meeting was attended by top officials of KPA, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate (KEPHIS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), security agencies, Ministry of Transport, Industry and the National Treasury.

During the meeting, the KPA Managing Director was given full mandate to institute immediate disciplinary measures to those who do not adhere to the agreed instructions.

The President further directed that all customs decisions be made and finalized at the Port of Mombasa without further reference to Nairobi which has created delays in the past. In this regard the Commissioner of Customs was directed to relocate to the Port.

The Head of State also ordered the immediate digitization of the clearing process and the modernization of weighing of cargo. He further ordered the upgrading of Simba system and fast-tracking of the single window system that will automate the clearing process.