The Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked the new Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) board and management to transform the Mombasa Port to attract more business.
While addressing the French business community members who visited the Port earlier today, Gachagua said the facility must reclaim its glory as the leading logistics hub in East Africa.
“Captain Ruto has a track record. That is why his appointment has been widely received by many stakeholders.” The Deputy President said.
Early this year, President William Ruto reconstituted the Kenya Ports Authority board of management appointing Benjamin Tayari as the chairman and while Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen appointed directors Lucas Maitha, Dr. Consolata Lusweti, Musa Osman, Emmanuel Kibet and Caroline Njoki.
In March, Murkomen appointed Captain William Kipkemboi Ruto as the Managing Director.
“Make this port the destination of choice in African countries. We will support you in making any adjustments because we need to improve the efficiency and the volumes to create more jobs.” The DP added.
Gachagua said the President Ruto led administration is keen to public and private investment, therefore, it is ready to work with the new management in enhancing public private partnership to expand the Mombasa and the Lamu Port more so in infrastructure for a fully operation logistics hub in Eastern Africa region.
He noted that the government is progressively improving the transport and other logistics facilities for batter hinterland linkages.
He also challenged the French companies in Kenya to identify opportunities for investment.
“President William Ruto and I are friends of investments. That is why we are progressively improving the business environment to make it more conducive,” he said.
The DP added that Kenya is ready to engage in business under the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which presents a market opportunity of at least 1.3 billion people.
He added that shipping lines like CMA CGM – a French maritime enterprise, which is the third largest in the world, have an opportunity of connecting Kenya to the 420 ports in 160 countries across the globe.
