Senators call for urgent upgrade of Busia Border post to boost trade, ease traffic

Senators have highlighted the urgent need to expand the Busia One Stop Border Point, describing it as a crucial gateway for trade that is currently struggling to handle the growing volume of goods and vehicles.

During an inspection on Wednesday, members of the Senate Standing Committee on Trade, led by Senator Issa Juma Boy from Kwale, called on the government to immediately develop the available space around the border to enhance operations and reduce delays.

They emphasised that proper expansion would not only ease congestion but also promote smoother trade between Kenya and Uganda.

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Manager at the border, Mohamed Hussein, told the visiting legislators that the crossing faces multiple challenges.

“We are grappling with infrastructural constraints, insufficient power supply and inadequate human resources, all of which continue to hamper daily operations,” Hussein said.

He added that the current yard only accommodates 40 trucks at a time, far below the daily traffic it handles.

Truck drivers and stakeholders echoed these concerns, highlighting the negative impact on trade and safety. Richard Makhulo of the Kenya Long Distance Drivers Union said long queues at the border cause delays and create difficult working conditions.

He urged the Senate to push for expansion and called on the Busia County Government to fast-track the construction of a trailer park to provide facilities for waiting drivers.

Representing clearing and forwarding agents, Stephen Mung’oma recommended streamlining cross-border processes by issuing permits at the border itself rather than in Nairobi.

He said this change, along with harmonised trade policies between Kenya and Uganda, would shorten clearance times and improve efficiency for traders.

Women traders at the Busia Women Cross Border SACCO expressed frustration over the traffic snarls created by stationary trucks, which hinder their operations.

“Our businesses suffer because of the constant traffic snarl-ups. We need a dedicated centre where women traders can operate safely and comfortably,” said Wanjiku Mugo. Truck drivers also requested the establishment of a well-being centre to attend to their needs while waiting for clearance.

In response, the senators assured stakeholders that their concerns would be relayed to relevant government departments for prompt action.

“We have observed unnecessary delays in clearance at the border. It is unacceptable to take 30 minutes to clear one truck. Such inefficiencies slow down trade and have a negative impact on business. We must modernise the process to make it faster and more efficient,” said Senator Issa Juma Boy.

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago supported the proposal, urging the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)to establish well-being facilities for truck drivers along major trade corridors. The legislators vowed to work with government agencies to address the bottlenecks affecting the Busia OSBP.

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Despite the operational challenges, the border continues to perform well financially. In the 2024/2025 financial year, it collected SDh6.83 billion, exceeding its target of Sh5.33 billion, showing its significance in regional commerce.

The senators also praised the strong collaboration between Kenya and Uganda at Busia, noting that the relationship between the two countries at this crossing is more cooperative compared to other border points in the region.

The delegation visiting Busia included Senators Issa Juma (Kwale), Mohamed Abass (Wajir), Fatuma Dullo (Isiolo), Okoiti Omtatah (Busia), Wahome Wamatinga (Nyeri), William Kisang’ (Elgeyo Marakwet), Samson Cherarkey (Nandi), Joseph Githuku (Lamu), Mohamed Chute (Marsabit), and Seki Lenku (Kajiado).