Government comes up with tough measures to enhance revenue collection

By Tobby Otum

The government has come up with tough measures at the port of Mombasa to enhance revenue collection.

Two Cabinet Secretaries said they have agreed to streamline revenue collection and introduce bonded customs warehouses for imported used vehicle inspection.

The two argued the move is aimed at first-tracking and enhancing revenue collection at the port of Mombasa.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and his transport counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen in discussion during a media a briefing held at Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] headquarters in Mombasa county. The CS’s read out a joint press statement.

Trade CS Moses Kuria and his transport counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen said both ministries have resolved to work as a team to put in place the policies.

This was revealed in a joint press statement read out at the Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] headquarters in Mombasa county after a closed-door meeting the entire morning which captured the outcome of the meeting.

Both CSs defended the resolution read out to the media to signify the unity of purpose saying the government is committed to open customs offices in Tanzania to mirror Uganda and to enhance the customs border point at Moyale.

They agreed that both to co-chair a multiagency meeting at the port of Mombasa on ease of doing business with special emphasis on tracking export logistics.

Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] Managing Director captain William Ruto follows the proceedings of a media a briefing presided over by two cabinet secretaries at the Kenya Ports Authority [KPA] headquarters in Mombasa county. Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and his transport counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen read out a joint press statement.

The government will not accept containers into the port if they are not cleared and logged into the Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS) and Kilindini Waterfront Automated Terminal Operation System (KWATOS) at the point of acceptance.

The CSs in the statement said the government demands declaration into the two systems must be made at the point of acceptance and approval granted.

They both said it was resolved that perishable goods verification by regulatory agencies namely Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and Port Health and Horticultural Crops Development Authority [HODA] should be done at the port of loading and permit approvals granted in the single window system.

“The move will enable the government to facilitate track and tracing mechanism,” they pointed out.

The CSs directed KPA to communicate and enforce 24-hours cut-off acceptance time for fresh produce exporters.