KPA wants formation of transport authority

The task. The authority should coordinate the movement of goods to points of destination.

A Kenya Ports Authority official has asked for the formation of a National Transport Authority to oversee the movement of goods from Mombasa Port before moving to intended destinations.

While re-acting to queries regarding whether KPA and Kenya Revenue Authority is responsible for the irregularities in handling of goods in transit, Mr Twalib Khamis, the general manager operations at KPA, said: “The public continues to misunderstand the role of KPA and KRA, these issues, I think can best be handled if an independent authority with representation from different stakeholders is formed.”

“I believe there is a need for a National Transport Authority to coordinate all bodies involved in the movement of cargo within Kenya. KPA and KRA are different entities who carry out different roles but people continue to blame the wrong parties,” Mr Khamis said.

The suggestion comes at a time when traders particularly in Uganda have critised the two entities (KPA and KRA) of not only mishandling their goods but also imposing illegal tariffs perceived as anti-trade.

Recently, Mr Everest Kayondo, the Kampala City Traders Association chairman, told Daily Monitor the continued mishandling of Ugandan traders at the hands of Kenyan authorities had forced his team to advise traders to keenly look at Dar es Salaam Port as an alternative.

He said: “The only solution is to get an alternative route that will break Kenya’s monopoly. Otherwise if Kenya remains the only route to Uganda, our trade is likely to continue suffering.”

However, the authorities in Kenya blame traders of engaging in illegal trade activities including, under declaration of merchandise and re-exportation of goods imported through Kenya.
Mr Jose Macial, the director trade facilitation at Trademark East Africa said the best way to solve the problems arising from goods transportation is putting in place laws that are applicable to all East Africa member states.

“There is need to draft laws that will be respected throughout the region. This will help reduce non-tariff barriers as well as curbing the illegal ones.”

The Mombasa port, managed by KPA is the main gateway to the interior of East and Central Africa.

As of close of 2011, the Mombasa Port handled 756,797 twenty feet container units, up from 695,600 twenty feet units handled in the previous year.

Mr Khamis: “The National Transport Authority should be tasked with overseeing the transportation of goods as they transit through Kenya.”

nkalungi@ug.nationmedia.com