KAMPALA - Following a strike staged by Kenyan transporters at the Mombasa Port recently, the Kenyan government has assured the business community in Rwanda that their goods remain safe.

In an interview at his offices in Kampala over the weekend, William Mtengo the Resident Representative of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), explained that the strike has generally caused minimal effect and that it hasn’t affected all parties.

"I want to assure our Rwandan counterparts that Port operations in Mombasa continue as usual and they have not been affected by the strike,” he said.

"It’s true the strike was there but it has had very little effect on cargo delivery in and outside the port.”
According to reports, the Port handles approximately 80 percent of Rwanda’s total imports and exports that are transported in and out of the country by road.

Mtengo said that the strike was caused largely by some transporters who have had parking differences with the local Municipal Council, but added that efforts are on to resolve the standoff.

"All of us must be able to sit down and agree to some level of understanding. The Council will not give in fully and the truckers will not get 100 percent freedom because they should have someone to regulate them on how they park,” he said.

On an average day, the Mombasa port can accommodate 100 to 200 trucks depending how many customs documents have been cleared.

He said that much as there is still need for better infrastructure in the region, regional governments need to be commended for their efforts in developing the road network right from port.

International courier companies like SDV Transami and Bayousuf - with huge parking yards - have been on hand to avoid cargo delay at the port.

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