How KRA, KPA will work together to increase revenue collection at the port

Cargo containers at Mombasa Port. [File, Standard]

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Boards have agreed to hold joint meetings after every three months, for seamless operations at the port.

The decision was made after the two state corporations held their first joint board meeting, following President William Ruto's directive to work together.

In a joint statement released Friday, September 22, the two bodies discussed and resolved nine issues where there was a stalemate.

"Directors of Kenya Ports Authority and Kenya Revenue Authority had a joint meeting to discuss matters of national and mutual interest considering the important role the two (2) Corporations play in the lives of not only Kenyans but the Eastern Africa Region as a whole."

The statement was released by Board Chairmen Benjamin Tayari (KPA) and Anthony Ng'ang'a (KRA).

In their statement, the duo says the president had given them a timeline of two weeks to resolve bureaucracy issues in bunkering. The meeting resolved to have regular surveillance.

The joint meeting has also resolved that there will be no verification of trans-shipment cargo and that verification of export cargo will be happening outside the Port.

On Monday, September 25, the two boards have scheduled a meeting to assess the progress of the acquisition of modern scanning equipment. This aims to address the issue of scanning technology at the port.

KPA and KRA have also agreed to revamp their communication departments, for factual communication to the public and other stakeholders.

For pre-arrival clearance, the two corporations have agreed to come up with and implement a framework to lodge manifests at the Port of loading to facilitate pre-arrival clearance of cargo and advance receipt of import duty.

In the next three weeks, the two corporations will be working on developing a regulatory framework for licensing and performance evaluation of Container Freight Stations.

Going forward, KPA and KRA will be auctioning overstayed cargo that is viable and returning to country-of-origin overstayed transit cargo with missing documents.