FOREWORD

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

Welcome to the latest edition of the Kenya Ports Authority Handbook. These are exciting times for the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and for Kenya as a nation as we work towards fulfilling objectives set out in the government’s Vision 2030 development goals.

Thanks to the investments we have made and are currently making, I believe that the KPA will play a key role in Kenya’s economic growth throughout this decade and the authority will cement and enhance its already close relationships with our main hinterland markets.

As it is, the Port of Mombasa is already well positioned geographically and is clearly the gateway of choice for shippers across large parts of East Africa – in particular in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan.

Not only has the KPA made tremendous improvements over the last 10-15 years or so constructing major new port facilities, but we have greatly increased our productivity and streamlined our internal management systems. This has greatly benefitted all our customers.

Among recent and future developments are: the opening in 2016 of the new Kipevu Container Terminal, the completion of the first and second phases of the Standard Gauge Railway (with track now laid as far as Naivasha), the start of work on a new four-berth oil terminal (Kenya made its first-ever oil exports in 2019) and the opening of the first berths at the new Lamu port now under construction to the north of Mombasa. When complete, Lamu will add significantly to Kenya’s cargo gateway status by opening up new transit markets.

In order to enhance regional economic and social integration, we have revamped the Port of Kisumu of the shores of Lake Victoria. Cargo now can cross cheaply from Kisumu to Port Bell, Mwanza and Bukoba on Uganda and Tanzania sides using the revived mv Uhuru of the regular ships on the lake. Plans are underway to revive the other small ports along Lake Victoria including Kendu Bay, and opening of the Mbita causeway for navigation.

I am pleased to say that this handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the KPA’s activities and those of the authority’s stakeholders and partners. This publication also outlines our vision of the future – and, in my view, that future is a very positive one.

Dr Daniel Manduku Managing Director Kenya Port Authority