Relief for truckers as KPA suspends Mombasa’s Sh700 port parking fee

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has suspended the collection of Mombasa County’s parking fees at the port, reversing a policy that had sparked protests among transporters.

The move deals a setback to the county government’s plan to generate up to Sh32 million monthly from truckers.

In a notice to stakeholders dated February 14, 2025, KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto announced the suspension of the Sh700 daily parking and toll charges per truck. The levies, introduced last year, had been met with opposition from traders and transporters, who argued they were imposed without consultation.

“Further to our customer notice issued to the port community on January 28, 2025, regarding the deployment of the County Parking/Toll collection, we wish to inform you that the intended collection of parking fees by the Authority has been suspended,” Ruto said.

He further directed truckers to continue with the previous appointment process.

“The purpose of this notice, therefore, is to inform you of the suspension of the booking programme for payment of the County parking/toll charges. Please continue processing the truck appointment as previously done,” he said.

The suspension comes as a relief to more than 1,500 truckers operating at the port, who say the charges were burdensome and had increased the cost of doing business in Mombasa. Earlier this month, a standoff between KPA and truck owners over the county’s fee threatened to disrupt cargo evacuation.

Last year, Mombasa County entered into an agreement with KPA and the port community, allowing the Authority to collect the Sh700 daily charge on its behalf, up from Sh600. However, transporters maintained that the charges were unfair.

Chairperson of the Local Transporters (Road Hauliers) Association Paul Moiben welcomed the suspension, arguing that truckers should not have been required to pay additional fees for picking up or dropping cargo.

“Most of the traders only go to the port to pick and drop cargo, not to park trucks, and we felt the programme was double charging since truck owners have parking yards which they pay to the county,” Moiben said.

He added that the decision to impose the charges without prior consultation had increased operational costs for transporters.

Kenya Transporters Association CEO Mercy Ireri also expressed optimism that future decisions affecting port businesses would involve stakeholder engagement.

“We have been fighting for this, and we are happy. We hope to engage government partners more in the future before making any other decisions directly affecting port businesses,” she said.

KPA has indicated that further directives will be issued following additional consultations between Mombasa County and port stakeholders.

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