The Principal Secretary (PS) for Transport, Mohamed Daghar, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening port, railway, and road infrastructure to enhance trade and logistics both locally and across the region.
Speaking in Mombasa when he opened the inaugural International Trade and Logistics Summit, PS Daghar highlighted the ongoing construction of two berths – one at the Port of Mombasa (berth 19B) and another at the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, to increase container capacity.
“We are also putting up a Mombasa Special Economic Zone, a dream that has been lingering in the conversation of this nation for the last three to four years. That has already been unlocked. For the berths, the progress is at 19 per cent for berth 19 B. The constructor is also on site for Dongo Kundu,” stated the PS.
He further asserted that the modernization of ports is on course, while strengthening the existing berths to enhance trade. “We also want to put up additional berths- berth 23 and 24 (at the Port of Mombasa) to ensure that logistics are seamless because if we don’t do that, there will be congestion in the port,” said the PS, lauding Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director for improving the Port of Mombasa performance.
From January to September 2025, the Port of Mombasa handled 32.86 million metric tons of total cargo throughput against 29.97 million metric tons handled during the same period last year.
The 2.8 million metric tons increase is equivalent to a growth of 9.6 per cent. For container traffic, the Port has so far handled 1.55 million TEUs during the period compared to 1.46 million metric tons in the corresponding period in 2024. This represents a growth of 91,000 TEUs, equivalent to 6.2 per cent.
The PS assured the logistics stakeholders of the government’s resolve to ensure non-tariff barriers are removed. He also noted that the government has invested heavily in the Port City of Mombasa’s road infrastructure in order to facilitate trade in the northern and southern corridors.
Daghar said the government is also keen to expand the railway network in the country to the neighboring landlocked countries adding a new railway line is in the pipeline from the Port of Lamu to Moyale, and onwards to Ethiopia and Nakodok, as well as Nadapal to South Sudan.
“We are determined to ensure the Standard Gauge Railway moves from Suswa to Kisumu, a distance of 262 kilometres, with a branch line to Kisumu Port,” he said, adding that plans are underway to ensure it moves from Kisumu to Malaba, another distance of 607 kilometers to the border of Uganda.
The two-day summit brings together government officials, trade and logistics stakeholders, it serves as a launchpad of innovation, empowering stakeholders to shape the future of trade and logistics in Africa and beyond.
KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto said the summit comes at a perfect time when the global logistics landscape is rapidly adopting new technologies to boost efficiency across the entire supply chain.
“Our continent must embrace these changes so that we can lead the way in transforming our industry,” he stated, adding that KPA is investing in automation to improve documentation and cargo clearance processes.
KPA is in the process of upgrading its terminal operating system that will onboard features such as automated gate systems, equipment positioning systems, and barcoding systems.
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Mombasa Chapter Chairman Abud Jamal said the Port City must take the lead in shaping conversations that drive the future of trade and logistics.
Jamal urged stakeholders to strike a balance between technology and human values amid rapid technological advancements.
“The logistics and trade landscape is evolving at an unprecedented speed. The world is embracing Artificial Intelligence, automation, data-driven systems and digital trade platforms, redefining how goods move, how port operates and how supply chains function.”
by Sadik Hassan
