Standoff over Sh700 parking levy disrupts Mombasa port activities

A standoff between the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and truck owners over Mombasa County Government's Sh700 parking fee at the port threatens to disrupt cargo evacuation from the facility.

The Road Haulers Association (RHA), representing owners of over 1,500 trucks, is opposed to the new levy and has vowed to rally its members not to pick cargo from the port starting Monday.

Last year, the Mombasa County Government entered into an agreement with KPA and the port community allowing the Authority to collect the Sh700 daily truck parking fee on its behalf.

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KPA said from February 1, no truck that had not paid the new county levy would be allowed in the port. RHA said that given that February 1 was on the weekend, the notice would be effective today.

“The authority has completed the development of the automated collection of truck parking fees and its necessary integration with the County Parking Fees Collection systems upon the Truck Appointment activities on the WEB IP platform.

“This applicant for truck parking fees on WEP IP will check if the truck being processed has paid the daily or seasonal parking fees to avoid collection of the same twice. Where the truck has a seasonal ticket or has paid for the day, the truck booking process will continue to completion,” stated the KPA notice issued last week.

Road Haulers Association chairman Mr. Paul Moiben vowed that his members who evacuate containers from the port to Container Freight Stations (CFCs) will not enter the port.

“The members have agreed that they will not send their vehicle to the port until the issue of charging every truck Sh700 entering the port is resolved,” said Moiben.

Truck owners warned KPA against implementing the agreement, claiming they had not participated in its decision-making process and labeling the action as an exploitation tactic.

“No transporter will allow its trucks to leave their yard so that the KPA and the county government can call for a meeting for all stakeholders in the transport,” said Moiben.

He asked KPA and the county government to stop exploiting the truck owners without considering that there are more taxes the members are being charged.

Meanwhile, the truck owners also complained that Kenya Revenue Authority KRA officers at the port were also demanding bribes before giving them the cargo tracking seals.

Moiben raised complaints against KRA officials demanding bribes of between Sh1000 and 5000 for arming cargo tracking seals on containers before they left Mombasa port.

In a communication dated January 30 this year, KRA said it had received reports that its officials were soliciting bribes from the truck drivers for car seals and asked the victims to come forward.

Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Ms. Lilian Nyawanda said KRA was working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate seals are available in the shortest time possible.

This is among other initiatives KRA is implementing for seamless clearance of cargo at Mombasa port with the goal of steaming out delays along the supply chain.

“KRA reiterates that arming cargo seals is free; KRA does not charge any fee. Any member of staff soliciting for a fee or engaging in any tax malpractices will be dealt with per the law,” she said.

KRA, in response, assured the port users that the arming of cargo tracking seals was free and asked the victims to report the matter to relevant authorities.