Kenya: The transport and logistics sector has been recognised as a key driver of economic transformation, with renewed calls for stronger collaboration between government and industry players to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
Principal Secretary for Transport – Mohamed Daghar underscored the central role of the sector in shaping the country’s economic future. He noted that the success of regional trade will depend on collaboration, innovation and the adoption of efficient systems.
Daghar gave speech at the Shippers Council of East Africa stakeholder forum and Annual General Meeting. He urged industry players to embrace shared responsibility in reducing delays, lowering logistics costs and strengthening Kenya’s position as a competitive regional trade gateway.
He cautioned that the private sector remains a critical partner in driving progress, while government agencies provide policy direction and infrastructure. Daghar emphasised that industry players are indispensable in identifying bottlenecks. They provide real-time evidence and propose practical solutions to persistent operational challenges. Without their active input, as policy interventions risk falling short of addressing industry needs.
Daghar noted that on the operational front, CEO of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) – Captain William Ruto highlighted ongoing port modernisation initiatives that aims at improving efficiency and service delivery. These include systems upgrades and measures to enhance turn-around times at key facilities.
Furthermore, KPA is working closely with cargo handlers, clearing agents and transporters to address operational constraints at the Port of Mombasa and other installations. According to the CEO, stakeholder feedback continues to play a key role in guiding investment decisions that deliver measurable gains for trade facilitation.
Shippers Council of East Africa – Chairman John Msafari welcomed the strengthened collaboration between government agencies and the private sector. He described it as essential for unlocking growth in the logistics sector. He observed that continuous engagement has helped them in aligning regulatory expectations with commercial realities, by easing friction along the supply chain.
The forum also brought together the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Kenya Trade Network Agency and other relevant agencies which focused mainly on the state of shipping and logistics. Along with the stakeholders they called for sustained multi-agency coordination and closer private sector engagement to maintain the competitiveness of ports of Kenya.