Saturday 20th of April 2024 02:49:52 AM
Home Blog Page 4

Mombasa Port recorded surge in cargo throughput in 2023

By
Joyce Jura
-
0
A ship docked at the Mombasa Port./COURTESY

Mombasa Port recorded a surge in cargo throughput in 2023, handling 35.98 million metric tons of cargo compared to 33.88 million metric tons handled in 2022.

This is according to statics released by the Kenya Port Authority during the launch of the 2023 Annual Review & Bulletin of Statistics on Monday.

Container traffic recorded 11.9 percent growth registering 1.62 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in 2023 compared to 1.45 million TEUs in 2022.

Speaking during the launch of the bulletin, KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto said container traffic had rebounded to the pre-pandemic growth levels sustained by macroeconomic stability of the East African economies.

Transit cargo recorded a growth of 11.5 percent to record 11.41 million metric tons in 2023 compared to 10.23 million metric tons in 2022.

“The positive economic performance of the EAC region was a major boost to the port traffic in 2023. Furthermore the extension of free storage for Local and transit containers from four to nine days and nine to 15 days respectively, enhancement of marketing activities and presidential directive to reduce bottlenecks along the Northern Corridor supported seamless logistics through the Port of Mombasa,” said Capt. Ruto.

Meanwhile, the port of Lamu handled 37,576 metric tons of cargo in 2023 against 6,539 metric tons in 2022.

Kisumu port on the other hand recorded a 119 percent increase in cargo, handling 127,745 metric tons in 2023 compared to 58,290 in 2022.

“The government of Kenya is spearheading the completion of construction of connecting roads to enable optimal utilization of the 1.2m TEU deep-water port. The road connectivity will enable Lamu to support the Port of Mombasa in meeting growing demand from domestic traffic and further improve access to transit market particularly to Ethiopia and South Sudan,” said Capt. Ruto.

Imports and Exports

Petroleum Oil & Lubricants were the top imported commodity via the port with 8,250,000 metric tons having been imported in 2023 followed by Wheat at 3,015,000 metric tons. Iron and steel come next followed by chemicals and insecticides, fertilizer, clinker, coal, clothing then paper and paper products.

In terms of exports via the port, tea remains the highest export commodity followed by coffee; titanium; tinned fruits, vegetables, and juices; soda ash; cloths; oil seeds; beans, peas, and pulses; cement bulk and lastly in the top ten exports tobacco and cigarettes.

Do not use the nets we’re giving to fish, warns health PS

By
Joyce Jura
-
0
Health PS Mary Muthoni during the oversight of the net distribution posts in Mombasa.She warned beneficiaries against using the nets to fish or selling them./COURTESY

If you have received mosquito nets from the government, ensure you use them for the intended purpose.

Speaking in Mombasa, Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni urged local leaders to conduct sensitization to ensure effective utilization of the nets in the fight against Malaria.

“Do not sell that net, I am not selling it to you so don’t sell it. Do not use it to fish, carry children, as a bathing cloth, or use it in the farms to protect your vegetables and chicken,” warned the Health PS.

PS Muthoni was speaking while conducting oversight of the Mombasa net distribution posts. Muthoni said the nationwide distribution of nets will continue up to April to boost the fight against Malaria and other mosquito related diseases.

“In the current government, we want to move from curative to preventative measures. We want to reduce the queues at the hospitals by reducing Malaria infections, waterborne diseases and other infections,” said PS Muthoni.

Nyali Deputy County Commissioner Geoffrey Ithai has assured that the nets will get to their intended beneficiaries.

“As a national government, we started from the grassroots. We will make sure the nets get to the intended beneficiaries through our Community Health Promoters (CHP) who will also demonstrate how to effectively use them,” said DCC Ithai.

So far, 606,985 people in Mombasa have already received the nets. This is according to data from the Ministry of Health.

The nationwide initiative aims to distribute over 15 million nets across 22 counties.

Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone ready for investors

By
Joyce Jura
-
0

Investors can now start applying to be admitted to the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone.

Speaking at the Kenya Port Authority (KPA) headquarters in Mombasa after the Dongo Kundu National Steering Committee meeting, Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan said the Dongo Kundu SEZ was ready for investors.

“The President had directed we operationalize the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone quickly to facilitate investor entry so that the people of Kenya, Mombasa can derive the economic benefit of the zone. We have assessed and we think we are good,” said PS Abubakar.

The PS in the State Department for Investment Promotion says Taifa Gas and three other investors have already been admitted and are in the process of setting up.

“There had been some issues with the Project Affected Persons (PAPs), I think the queries that were raised before have now been resolved and in the next one to two months the PAPs issue will be no more and investors are encouraged to apply to get admitted in the zone,” said Abubakar.

The investors will be screened to set up in the SEZ.

Meanwhile, the Dongo Kundu bypass connecting to the airport will be ready by May.

For the one connecting to the hinterland and the access road to the port berth, the PS says the contractor will start work around July – August 2024.

Looming congestion at Mombasa Port as S.Sudan introduces new levy

By
Joyce Jura
-
0
KIFWA National Chair Roy Mwanthi and Mombasa Branch Chair Leonard Njiru during Thursday's press briefing. They say SSRA should collect the new levy at S.Sudan's points of entry not Kenya./COURTESY

The Mombasa Port risks being congested following a new mandatory levy that has been introduced by South Sudan’s Customs Division.

Speaking during a press briefing in Mombasa, Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association KIFWA) National Chair, Roy Mwanthi said there are currently more than 1,000 TEUs stuck at the port because of the mandatory Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) that has been introduced by the South Sudan Revenue Authority for cargo destined for S.Sudan.

“The cargo is stuck due to an illegal directive issued by the commissioner of customs of South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) that every container and every unit must pay USD350 as a levy for Electronic Cargo Tracking Number (ECTN),” said Mwanthi.

The mandatory ECTN service charge was introduced by S.Sudan Commissioner for Customs Division Brig. Gen. Aduot Ajang Aduot in the beginning of March this year following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the government of South Sudan and Invesco Uganda Limited.

“All clearing agencies are hereby instructed to enforce these regulations through our partner Invesco Uganda Limited to ensure that all goods transiting through your respective states comply to the above regulations,” read a notice from the S.Sudan Commissioner dated 1st arch 2024.

However, KIFWA says the ECTN number S.Sudan is demanding serves no purpose except to collect money that is being paid to a private account in Uganda.

The Association says there is an existing Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) that is a physical gadget affixed on containers and motor vehicles that tracks all transit cargo in real time and is free of charge.

“This ECTN will not track anything, will not see anything and will not be fixed anywhere thus will serve no purpose except to be a Non-Tarriff Barrier (NTB) to international trade and business. It is like an illegal roadblock erected to collect money for some individuals,” said KIFWA Mombasa Branch Chair Leonard Njiru.

In a letter addressed to the Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Department at the Kenya Revenue Authority, KIFWA called for intervention as Kenyan custom agents were being forced to collect the prerequisite ECTN charge which should be done by S.Sudan Customs.

“While we acknowledge that it is the prerogative of the government of S.Sudan to introduce any new process and/levies for their cargo, we are against using Kenyan agents for processing and collection of ECTN service charge or any other levies within Kenyan custom areas,” read the letter in part.

“Processing and collection of the ECTN service charge should be by S.Sudan Customs Agents and within S.Sudan custom areas of Juba, Elegu/Nimule, and Oraba/Kaya,” added the letter.

The Association now wants the Kenyan Custom Commissioner to give guidance to Kenyan customs officers to give final release for S.Sudan cargo without reference to S.Sudan customs release based on payment of ECTN fees by Kenya agents.

KIFWA says the collection of the mandatory ECTN charges is causing delays in movement of cargo.

“There’s already a crisis building up at the Busia and Malaba OSBPs due to truck delays as a result of enforcement of the directive, affecting truck turnaround time,” said KIFWA National Chair Roy Mwanthi.

They have called for the withdrawal of the directive failure to which they will seek legal measures.

“There is an extra 50USD/Unit or container charge being paid to an account in Kenya as Certificate of Destination for all consignment going to S.Sudan which is not founded in any East African Community law,” said KIFWA Mombasa Branch Chair Leonard Njiru.

The delay in cargo movement is causing huge losses to traders and businessmen in S.Sudan in terms of Port Storage charges, customs warehouse rent,and container demurrage charges.

Transporters are also facing the challenge of delayed movement of trucks which is affecting their turnaround time and delivery of essential commodities, like food items, medicine, indutry materials, to S.Sudan.

“Their cargo is stuck, it is a disadvantage to South Sudan and the earlier they can relocate the levy collection from Mombasa to an entry point in S.Sudan the better,” said Roy Mwanthi.

Over 2,500 in Kilifi’s Kayafungo to get access to clean water

By
Kamau Mwangi
-
0

Over 2,500 residents of Kayafungo ward in Kilifi county are set to get access to clean water following the construction of a water pipeline.

Marking World Water Day on Friday 22nd March 2024, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro launched the construction of Dam View to Tsangatsini Phase 2 Pipeline.

Once completed the project will benefit residents from Mnyenzeni, Kirumbi, and Tsangatsini areas.

According to Mung’aro, facilities including Tsangatsini dispensary, Kirumbi secondary school, Kirumbi Primary school, and Tsangatsini secondary and primary schools will have water.

3000 heads of cattle will also get water from the project.

“The project consists of the construction of a 12km water pipeline – 4 inch HDPE pipe material and rehabilitation of 8 water kiosks along the pipeline,” said Mung’aro.

KEMSA Mombasa Center to improve supplies delivery to coastal counties

By
Joyce Jura
-
0

Coastal Counties will soon not have to wait two to three weeks before getting medical supplies from the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

Speaking in Mombasa while flagging off mosquito nets to be distributed in the county, KEMSA CEO Andrew Mulwa said the Authority will open a distribution center in Mombasa that will cater to the coast region.

“The construction and renovation works are already being done and we expect contractors to be done in the next three months so that we start,” said Mulwa.

The new distribution center will shorten the time to get drugs to the coastal counties.

“From Nairobi, now it is taking two to three weeks to get drugs, when we open the regional distribution center here, from Mombasa it should take 48 hours,” said the KEMSA CEO.

CEO Mulwa said Mombasa was among the best-performing counties in terms of supplies of medicine and debt payment.

Sentiments were echoed by Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir.

“I want to appreciate the partnership we have with KEMSA, including the fact that they have been supplying us medicine on time and I am confident and glad to state that we are paying our dues on time. We have no debt with KEMSA,” said Governor Swamad.

The County Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with KEMSA that renewed the engagement between the two entities.

Over 900k mosquito nets to be distributed in Mombasa flagged off

By
Joyce Jura
-
0

The fight against Malaria in Mombasa has gotten a boost following the flagging off of over 900k nets set to be distributed across the county.

The consignment of 932,000 treated mosquito nets from Global Fund was flagged off on Thursday by Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) CEO Andrew Mulwa.

“The mosquito nets will be distributed in all 30 wards across the county as well as all county health facilities ensuring adequate protection against the spread of Malaria,” said Governor Swamad.

The over 900k nets are to be distributed in the next two weeks.

The mapping had already previously been done, now it is only an issue of ensuring the nets reach the beneficiaries,” said the Mombasa Governor.

The nationwide mass net distribution exercises is targeting counties that have high Malaria incidents in the country including Mombasa, Kwale and Taita Taveta.

“The Malaria net distribution is a national program that covers Malaria endemic areas across the country. We have some 22 counties that have high Malaria incidents in the country which are targeted for the mass net distribution every three years,” said KEMSA CEO Andrew Mulwa.

“So this program is coming after the earlier exercise which was done in 2020/21,” he added.

16.2 million nets are set to be distributed across the country in an exercise set to end in May.

“So far, because we are doing it in clusters, we have done five counties as KEMSA ie Kisii, Nyamira, Kisumu, Siaya and Migori. We are now doing Mombasa then we will move to Taita Taveta, Kwale as cluster two,” said the KEMSA CEO.

Equity named most loved banking brand by Kenyan women, third time in a row

By
Joyce Jura
-
0
Equity Bank Kenya Associate Director Women & Youth Banking, Dr. Silpah Owich (centre), Equity Bank Kenya Director Retail & Branch Business, Carol Rutto (2nd left), Equity Kilimani Supreme Business Growth and Development Manager, Katherine Silva (right), and Equity Senior Relationship Manager, Commercial -Trade & Investments, Irene Irungu (left) receive an award for the most loved banking brand by women in Kenya, according to a recent survey conducted by IPSOS and BSD Group./COURTESY

Equity has for the third time in a row been recognized as the most loved banking brand by women in Kenya, according to a recent survey conducted by IPSOS and BSD Group. The survey, which included over 1,000 adult women from all eight former provinces in the country, aimed to provide insights for Kenyan businesses on how to improve their engagement with consumers and bridge gaps between organizations and brands.

Overall, Equity climbed one place to position three behind MPesa and Safaricom. Equity’s cemented position as the most beloved banking brand among women underscores the lender’s efforts to champion financial inclusion in Kenya, through products and services tailored for women consumers.

Equity has leveraged technology to remove barriers to financial access, which includes the introduction of Boostika, a novel solution that enables Equity customers to carry out transactions even with insufficient funds. Additionally, Equity has upgraded its digital banking platform on Equity Mobile and Equity Online. The upgraded platform now offers savings and investment options whether you require to save funds for unforeseen events, or towards short-term, medium-term, or long-term goals, along with digital lending services.

The Bank also offers premium cards and Supreme Banking services, emphasizing its commitment to empowering women across the board financially.

Furthermore, Equity is committed to empowering young entrepreneurs and women nationwide through financial literacy programs available at all its branches.

Equity also provides loans to registered groups (women groups, youth groups, self-help groups, among others) as well as group members through the Pamoja Group Loan to support the running of their businesses and help them achieve their business goals.

“The study showcases the holistic consumption habits of women consumers while seeking to reinforce the importance of women as key decision makers, not only in the domestic front but also in business, entrepreneurship, health, agriculture, education, and leadership,” said Eva Muraya, BSD Group Founder and CEO.

Chris Githaiga, Ipsos Country Manager – Kenya, congratulated the brands that made it to the ranking for their hard work in understanding the unique needs and preferences of women consumers in Kenya.

“Marketing to women is about recognizing their unique needs, desires, and challenges, and then crafting products and services that address these. The brands recognized in the top 100 rankings have gone beyond the normal functional delivery of the brand to creating emotional connections and building trust,” he says.

KWS nationwide recruitment scheduled for 15th – 19th April

By
Joyce Jura
-
0

The Kenya Wildlife Service is scheduled to carry out a five-day nationwide recruitment exercise from Monday 15th to Friday 19th of April 2024.

The nationwide exercise plans to recruit 150 Cadets (Assistant Warden I) and 1,350 Rangers.

“The Service operates in remote environment and seeks to recruit 1,500 young and dynamic individuals as Cadets (Assistant Warden I) – 150 and Rangers – 1,350 who can endure the condition of training and deployment to various conservation areas in response to the wildlife protection challenges currently being experienced in the country,” read the recruitment notice from KWS.

In the Coast region, the recruitment exercise will take place in the following order:
Monday 15th – Lamu at Mokowe Airstrip
Tuesday 16th – Tana River at Hola Stadium
Wednesday 17th – Kilifi at Karisa Maitha Stadium
Thursday 18th – Mombasa at Mombasa ASK Show Ground and Taita Taveta at Voi Stadium
Friday 19th – Kwale at Kwale County Stadium

Below are the requirements for those applying to be Cadets (Assistant Warden I):
Be a citizen of Kenya
Holder of a Bachelor’s degree minimum second class honors lower division in Wildlife Management, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Range Management, Veterinary Medicine, Criminology and Security Management, Sociology, or Community Development from a recognized institution
Be 28 years and below
Be of good health and physique
Have no criminal record
Successful candidates will be required to undergo mandatory paramilitary training for a period of nine (9) months and thereafter be deployed to the field

Requirements for those applying to be rangers:
Be a Citizen of Kenya
Hold a Kenya Identity Card or Passport
Hail from the County of recruitment
Possess a mean grade of D (Plain) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination or its equivalent from an examination body recognized in Kenya
Be aged between 18 and 26 years
Be physically and Medically fit
Have no criminal record
Successful candidates will be required to undergo mandatory paramilitary training for a period of six (6) months and thereafter be deployed to the field.

Prospective applicants will obtain an application from the nearest KWS National Park Station or download it through the KWS website www.kws.go.ke.

They are expected to fill out the application and attach copies of their relevant academic and professional certificates, and national ID Card/Passport and submit the complete application form together with the attachments either in hard or soft copy (for cadets) or carry it with them to the recruitment centers (for rangers).

Mvita MP building additional classrooms in preparation for Grade 9

By
Joyce Jura
-
0
Mvita MP Mohamed Soud Machele. He says Mombasa will support Joho to be the next ODM head./COURTESY

Funds have been allocated to build classes for grade nine, especially in Mvita schools that need classrooms.

This is according to Mvita Member of Parliament Mohamed Soud Machele.

Speaking while issuing bursary cheques to secondary school students, the Mvita legislature said the sub-county was building additional classes in preparation for grade nine learners next year.

“Next year, 2025, there will be no form ones. Learners will be transitioning to grade nine, and our schools are many but do not have grade nine classes. We have started building the classes because if we wait around, our children will study under trees in 2025,” said Machele.

He said they have reports that there are schools with a lot of children, for example, Sparki, Tom Mboya, St. Augustine, Mvita, etc,” said Machele.

“We have allocated funds to ensure we add two classrooms (for two grade nine streams) in Tom Mboya Pri Sch, four classes in Central Girls, a lab and two classrooms for Sparki pri sch, and three classrooms Mvita pri sch,” said Machele.

Also Read: Over 5000 secondary school students get bursaries in Mvita

“We have built additional classrooms for Serani Special School and allocated one million shillings to buy furniture. Ziwani School for the Deaf also needs two classrooms for grade nine,” he added.

Meanwhile, Al Farsy Secondary will get a 51-seater bus as a gift for producing 50 university students following the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results.

“We are also building laboratories in Makupa and Mvita Boys,” said Machele.

1...345...765Page 4 of 765

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY