Ruto makes a U-turn as he reverts back to Uhuru’s Naivasha port
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President Ruto reverts operations from Mombasa to Naivasha port to serve DRC and EAC markets
President Ruto reverts operations from Mombasa to Naivasha port to serve DRC and EAC markets.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is looking to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot to handle cargo headed for the DRC, which is expected to increase owing to the admission of the central African country to the East African Community(EAC).
During a meeting with the DRC representative to Kenya, Ambassador Nyakeru John, KPA stated that it has invested at the Naivasha port in order to handle the anticipated increase in Congolese cargo.
“To cater to the needs of this key emerging market, KPA has invested in the Naivasha Inland Container Depot to ensure faster movement of DRC cargo,” read a statement from KPA.
Additionally, the port authority stated that its team was in the process of setting up a liaison office in Goma, DRC.
Similarly, DRC hinted at the possibility of setting up a consulate in Kenya.
Notably, President William Ruto decommissioned the Naivasha Depot last year, months after succeeding his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.
The port which was Kenyatta’s brainchild was meant to ensure guaranteed business for the Standard Gauge Railway, in order to repay the Ksh450 billion debt it had taken to build it.
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As a result, in 2019, Kenyatta moved Mombasa’s port operations to Naivasha, a decision that Deputy President Ruto vehemently opposed.
According to Ruto, the port was built to benefit a few individuals and would take away much-needed revenue and jobs from Mombasa residents who rely on clearing and forwarding business at the port.
President Ruto reverted the port operations to Mombasa Port as soon he assumed office in September 2022.
“This afternoon, I will be issuing instructions for clearance of all goods and other attendant operational issues to revert to the port of Mombasa. This restores thousands of jobs in the city of Mombasa,” he stated at the time.
However, this new development from KPA hints at a possible reversal of Ruto’s decree.
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