Transport Cabinet Secreatry Kipchumba Murkomen on Saturday, July 29 announced plans to reduce weighbridges along the Northern Corridor in a move aimed at cutting down the time taken by transit trucks to clear through checkpoints and get to their destination.
In a statement, Murkomen explained that the changes were in line with directives issued by President William Ruto regarding enhancing the efficiency at the Port of Mombasa.
Murkomen added that his ministry would also liaise with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to implement round the clock operations to enhance the transit of goods.
He further added that the government would also work with the private sector to set up scanning services at the Port.
"As a Ministry, we will be working on addressing the challenges highlighted in the meeting in an effort to streamline Port operations, facilitate faster movement of goods from the Port to target destinations, attract investment and boost the economy of Mombasa and Kenya.
"These efforts are meant to encourage import-export business and ensure Kenya lives up to its billing as the regional hub for trade and investment and the getaway to regional markets," he stated.
The Kenyan part of the Northern Corridor spans from Mombasa to Nairobi, and further northward to the border with Uganda at Malaba.
Murkomen added that the new directive would place the country as a strategic hub for transportation and boost trade in the East African Community (EAC).
The new directive aims to stimulate job opportunities as trade receives a significant boost from cross-border activity.
"These efforts are meant to encourage import-export business and ensure Kenya lives up to its billing as the regional hub for trade and investment and the getaway to regional markets," read the statement in part.
Murkomen made the announcements after accompanying President William Ruto to a consultative forum with stakeholders in Mombasa.
Prime Cabinet Secreatry Musalia Mudavadi and Trade CS Moses Kuria were also present at the meeting.
