Mombasa: the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has unveiled a comprehensive five-year strategic plan (2023/24-2027/28) aimed at transforming the agency into a globally recognized port of choice. This strategic plan aligns with Kenya’s Medium-Term Plan (MTP-IV) and is geared towards supporting the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), focusing on job creation and reducing the cost of living.
According to Kenya News Agency, Transport, and Public Works, Kipchumba Murkomen, who spoke at the official launch event, the KPA’s new strategy was developed through a highly inclusive, participatory, and consultative approach. Murkomen praised the KPA’s significant role in national development, noting its crucial function in international trade, goods movement, and connecting Kenya to the global market.
The strategy focuses on streamlining port operations, reducing logistical costs, and improving cargo handling efficiency. These measures, as Murkomen noted, are expected to make essential commodities more affordable, thus positively impacting the lives of Kenyan citizens.
KPA’s strategic plan includes supporting the development of the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone and the Lamu Special Economic Zone, playing a pivotal role in job creation and the advancement of the Blue Economy. With an anticipated increase in cargo volumes, KPA is committed to expanding and optimizing its operations in Mombasa, fully operationalizing the Lamu port, and enhancing the ports on Lake Victoria to ensure efficient intermodal linkages along the East Africa Community (EAC) corridors.
Murkomen highlighted KPA’s achievements over the past year, including the completion and operationalization of the second container terminal phase 2 in Mombasa, increasing the port’s annual capacity by 450 TUs, and the commissioning of the Kipevu Oil Terminal. Additionally, KPA has introduced night pilotage services for petroleum tanks and completed the first phase of the Mtongwe mainland run to resume ferry services.
The strategic plan also aims to attract private investors to foster technological advancement, improve service delivery, and enhance global competitiveness, particularly for the port of Lamu. KPA Managing Director, Captain William Ruto, emphasized the focus on customer experience and the logistics value chain, stating that the plan provides a clear roadmap to enhance efficiency, competitiveness, and sustainability of Kenya’s ports.
The strategic objectives outlined in the plan include business growth, good governance, operational excellence, and customer focus. Captain Ruto noted the emphasis on infrastructural development, prioritizing projects based on a thorough analysis of current and projected demands in the port industry.