President William Ruto on Friday, September 29 announced plans to expand Mombasa Port.
Speaking during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) National Governing Council meeting, President Ruto reaffirmed that the expansion plan would help serve South Sudan, Burundi, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda.
At the same time, Ruto dismissed claims on the privatization of the port. He vowed to keep his campaign promise of making the Mombasa Port remain the East African gateway.
“As we promised during the 2022 General Election campaigns, the Port of Mombasa will not be privatized. What we are looking at is expansion so that we serve countries like Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan. We will do this by involving the private sector so that we can increase the efficiency,” Ruto stated.
His sentiments came after a section of Mombasa leaders opposed the alleged plans. Led by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir opposed the plans.
Moreover, Nassir had questioned the feasibility of the proposal to lease some of the assets of the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to private firms.
“We are not opposed to development, but we speak on behalf of millions of residents who may not be able to speak for themselves. We ask what is in it for the people of Mombasa in the privatization of their Port?” he questioned.
Governor Nassir made it clear that all leaders in Mombasa are united in opposing the privatization of the port.
While they support growth and development, they refuse to engage in a conversation where the interests of Mombasa residents have been sidelined.
Nassir has actively led an advocacy campaign against the privatization of the Port, citing a lack of consultation and due process by the Kenya Ports Authority in its recent advertisements.
However, on September 25, Benjamin Tayari, the Chairman of the Kenya Ports Authority board, clarified that the national government had no intentions to privatize critical port facilities in Mombasa and Lamu.
