Efforts to reduce cargo clearance delays at the Port of Mombasa has gained significant momentum after the heads of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) agreed to deepen collaboration through systems integration and technology-driven solutions designed to improve cargo flow and trade efficiency.
KRA Commissioner General Adan Mohamed and KPA Chief Executive Officer Capt. William Ruto said closer cooperation between the two agencies will focus on automation, data sharing and the harmonization of operational processes to eliminate bottlenecks, facilitate seamless cargo movement, reduce delays and enhance service delivery for importers, exporters and other port users.
As part of the port visit, Mohamed also toured KRA’s cargo scanning facilities and the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) operations domiciled at the port facility.
The RECTS is a digital surveillance network used by the KRA to monitor transit goods in real time from the Port of Mombasa to final destinations across East Africa, preventing cargo dumping and tax evasion.
Stakeholders contend that the new digital surveillance system is actively driving operational efficiency through 24-hour port cycle.
They said the two institutions are bolstering the logistics ecosystem by introducing technology-based solutions to enhance efficiency and streamline the flow of goods at the port of Mombasa that serves as the premier gateway to East and Central Africa.
The improvements in KPA’s systems have a positive impact on regional trade and logistics corridors serving landlord countries including Uganda, Rwanda, DRC, South Sudan and Burundi.
The commitment comes as both agencies seek to leverage technology to improve cargo clearance efficiency and support growing trade volumes through the country’s premier maritime gateway.
During the meeting, Mohamed commended KPA’s ongoing Smart Gates Project, describing it as a key innovation that will ease traffic congestion around the port and accelerate cargo evacuation.
The Smart Gates Project by KPA is a technology-driven initiative designed to automate cargo and vehicle access, curb manual processes, and speed up truck turn-around times at facilities like the Port of Mombasa and the Nairobi Inland Container Depot.
The two leaders toured KPA’s ongoing gate infrastructure modernization project, where they were briefed on the Smart Gates system, which will automate truck identification and verification, speed up cargo clearance processes and significantly reduce truck turnaround times.
Mohamed said KRA and KPA will continue integrating their systems and embracing technology-driven solutions to enhance cargo processing and support a more efficient logistics chain.
He said to ensure the smooth flow of goods, KRA has recently introduced the Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) platform, a digital pre-arrival cargo system for all containerized cargo destined for Kenya.
The KRA boss emphasized the importance of collaboration among all key stakeholders to create an integrated, safe, efficient, and competitive logistics ecosystem.
“We are committed to working jointly with other government agencies to streamline operational challenges through systems integration and harmonized processes in order to serve our esteemed clients better,” said Mohamed.
On his part Capt. Ruto reaffirmed KPA’s commitment to working closely with KRA and other stakeholders to eliminate operational bottlenecks and strengthen the competitiveness of the Port of Mombasa.
The KPA CEO said the Authority is committed to enhancing transparency and efficiency in port services noting that the port is investing heavily in digital technology and smart port concepts to modernize its maritime sector, cut logistics costs, and speed up cargo handling.
“The KPA, KRA partnership is a strategic step in promoting port operational efficiency and strengthening our role in the global supply chain,” said Ruto.
He described the Smart Gates Project as a game changer that will improve operational efficiency, enhance cargo flow and support faster movement of cargo through the port.
“We are working together as one team to address any bottlenecks affecting port operations and make the port of Mombasa more efficient for all our customers,” he said.
Ruto said KPA and KRA are committed to operational efficiency through port modernization, automation, infrastructure upgrades, and regulatory reforms to reduce vessel turnaround times and cargo dwell times.
By Hussein Abdullahi
