The Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has clarified that it has not suspended the implementation of new sea vessel and container inspection charges, contrary to a news article by Business Daily.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 25, KEPHIS Managing Director Theophilus Mutui stated that the new inspection charges—KSh 375 for containers and KSh 2,000 for vessels—will still apply.
According to Mutui, the new charges were meant to help in the implementation of safety measures introduced by the International Plant Protection Convention(IPPC) standards, which involve the inspection of all ships and freight containers to ensure that they are clean and free from pests while entering or leaving the country.
Kephis dismissed a report by the Business Daily, titled 'KEPHIS suspends new cargo inspection fees after protests,' published on Monday, March 24.
"An inspection charge of KSh 375 for containers and KSh 2,000 for vessels will apply to support the implementation of these safety measures. The new protocol began as a pilot on 1 March 2025, following extensive consultations with industry stakeholders," he stated.
"KEPHIS wishes to categorically clarify that, contrary to the article published by Business Daily on 25 March 2025, titled 'Kephis suspends new cargo inspection fees after protests', KEPHIS is not suspending the implementation of sea vessel and container inspection charges," he added.
According to the article, KEPHIS suspended the new inspection fees it introduced at the Port of Mombasa following a backlash from the Council of Governors and traders.
According to the report, KEPHIS set the inspection fees at Ksh 2000 for a 20-foot container and Ksh 500 for a 40-foot container.
According to the article, CoG, the Mombasa County government, and the Kenya Ships Agents Association (KSAA) confirmed that Kephis agreed to suspend the charges to make room for further discussions.
KEPHIS has, however, noted that the new charges kicked off as a pilot on March 1, 2025, following consultations with the industry stakeholders.
It stressed that traders should uphold the new directives to protect the country's health and trade reputation.
"KEPHIS remains committed to implementing the inspection measures as communicated earlier with the stakeholders, in accordance with the following legal framework: KEPHIS Act of 2012, the Plant Protection Act (Cap 324), the Export Act (Cap 319), Legal Notice 48 of 2009 and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) standards," it stated.
