Why all this anti-Mwakwere agenda by the media?

Story by: OMAR ALI

Since the era of the John Michuki when he headed the Ministry of Transport, Kenyans were erroneously made to associate the Ministry’s core duty and responsibility to be that of supervising the Matutu industry. First and foremost, there is a need for everyone to understand and appreciate the fact that the supervision of the matatu menace is not the core duty of the Ministry of Transport alone. In addition, for the most efficient management of the Matatu industry requires the work of at least three ministries — a tripartite factor. The Ministry of Transport is responsible for the formulation of transport rules and regulations.

Next comes in the Provincial Administration and National Security docket for effective traffic police law enforcement of those rules and regulations. The then Roads and Public Works portfolio is crucial because it is this Ministry’s responsibility to building and maintaining the roads. Transport Minister Chirau Mwakwere’s achievements are underestimated because the Matuga MP does not go out of his way to publicize them. The excellent work being done by the Ministry under his watch is not being highlighted by the local media because it will paint the Minister positively.

When admirable work is done by this docket under its various departments, agencies and parastatals, the media always go at every length to give credit to the individuals heading those departments, agencies and parastatals and totally ignoring the Minister. But when censure is to be made on the Ministry, then that blame is heaped on the Minister in a form of banner headlines. Take the case of the multi-billion shillings airports expansions at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International, and Kisumu Airport. We hardly see the Minister given credit.

Even bigger strides have been achieved at the Mombasa port. Kenya Ports Authority recently announced the completion of the automation of waterfront cargo operations at the Mombasa port. This waterfront project, according the KPA, kicked off in 2006 and was developed at a cost of Sh200 million and is now complete. But we don’t read this accomplishment being credited to the Minister for Transport. But when other Ministers speak only on their intensions, when they just think of something they intend to do in their respective ministries, the public is showered with the news of these Ministers “intentions” as if they have already achieved what they intend to do.

In fact in some extreme instances, the media even ignore real breaking news that positively reflects the Mwakwere, steal his thunder and in a biased move give it to one of their darlings. An excellent example of stealing the thunder was a story in one of the local dailies titled; “Raila reaps more goodies for Kenya.” The story read in part: “Prime Minister Raila Odinga reaped more goodies for Kenya during his American trip when he signed an agreement that opens the route for Kenya Airways direct flights to the US.

Raila and American Secretary of Transport Mary Peters signed the US-Kenya Open Skies Agreement for direct flights for airlines from both countries…Raila signed the agreement with Peters just a day after the approval by congressmen, agencies and key US financiers to endorse Sh5.8 billion funding for rehabilitation following post-election violence.” The fact of the matter is that if you remove Raila’s name, the rest is true. Sadly, with a hidden agenda, the particular daily gave the unsuspecting public a total fabrication of facts; Prime Minister Raila did not sign the agreement with the US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters.

Our Transport Minister Mwakwere did, because by law only the Transport Minister can sign such an agreement. But another daily had a photo that clearly showed Ms Peters and Mwakwere signing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (Basa), also known as US-Kenya Open Skies Agreement that will provide for direct flights for airlines from both countries. This Open Skies Agreement was not just an agreement secured and signed during Raila’s three day visit to the US as the newspaper would like us to believe.
It was a project that the Narc government’s Ministry of Transport (yes, under Mwakwere) has been working on for sometime. As attested by Mwakwere who noted: “It’s been a long process of negotiations.” Earlier in the year then newly appointed Transport Permanent Secretary Abdulrazaq Adan was in the US to tie up the final touches and set the ground for the official signing by the two countries’ ministers.

With every European country demanding Kenyans in transit (through their respective airports) obtain transit visas, this Open Skies Agreement which will start direct flights between the two countries will come along way in alleviating this hassle of obtaining visas and of course the cost of getting it. But the story made it appear that, it was only PM Raila who brought goodies to Kenya during his three day visit to the US; as opposed to have been the work of Mwakwere who was responsible for the Open Skies agreement. It is one thing to love to hate a politician or politicians, but it is completely another when media people change facts to suit their hidden agenda.

http://www.kenyatimesonline.com/content.asp?catid=5&articleId=2132

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Commentary & Analysis

Sunday Times

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Mwakwere meeting with CNN Zain Verjee

Top: Hon. Mwakwere meeting the Kenyan born CNN State Department correspondent Zain Verjee in Washington DC, June 2008.
Below: Mwakwere with Verjee and the US based Kenya Times

/Sunday Times Columinst Omar Ahmed Ali, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Washington DC

Mwakwere talking to Ambassador Bellamy

Mwakwere is seen discussing with former US ambassador to Kenya William Bellamy, at the Ritz Carlton, in Washington DC, USA, in June 2008

William M. BellamyAmbassador, KenyaTerm of Appointment: 07/30/2003 to 07/27/2006

William M. (Mark) Bellamy previously served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs in from June 2001 to June 2003 and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State from August 2000 to June 2001.

Mr. Bellamy joined the Foreign Service in 1977. Previous assignments include Deputy Chief of Mission, Canberra, Australia 1997-2000; Minister Counselor for Political Affairs, U.S. Embassy Paris, France 1993-1997; Counselor for Political Affairs, U.S. Embassy Pretoria, South Africa 1989-1993; Political Officer, U.S. Embassy Harare, Zimbabwe 1985-1987.

Mr. Bellamy was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on August 31, 1950. He received a B.A. from Occidental College in 1972 and an M.A. from Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1975. He holds certificates from the Institut Universitaire de Hautes Etudes Internationales in Geneva and the Ecole Nationale d’Administration in Paris. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he worked as a journalist and public relations consultant in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

In 1993 he was the recipient of a Superior Honor Award, Department of State. He received a Distinguished Honor Award, Department of State, in 1989.
Mr. Bellamy speaks French and Italian.

Hon. Mwakwere addressing Kenyans in the Diaspora at the Georgetown University Hall, in June 2008.

President Kibaki arrives for East African Community Meeting in Kigali

President Mwai Kibaki accompanied by Rwandese Prime Minister Rt. Hon Bernard Makuza (R) inspects a guard of honour on arrival at Kayibanda International Airport, Kigali to attend the 9th ordinary summit of the EAC Heads of State.




President Mwai Kibaki has arrived in Kigali today to attend the 9th Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State.

The plane carrying President Kibaki and his entourage touched down at the Kayibanda International Airport, Kigali shortly before 3 pm.
On arrival President Kibaki was received by Rwandese Prime Minister Rt Hon. Bernard Makuza, and Kenya's ambassador to Rwanda Mr. Alex Ketter and other mission staff of the Kenyan Embassy.

Accompanying the President were Transport Minister Hon Chirau Ali Mwakwere, the Minister for East African Community Hon Amason Jeffa Kingi, Permanent Secretary Foreign Affairs, Mr Thuita Mwangi among other senior government officials.

Later President Kibaki inspected a guard of honour mounted by a detachment of the Rwandan Armed Forces before being entertained by several groups of traditional dancers.President Kibaki is expected to address the official opening of 1st East African Investment Conference tomorrow which is jointly organized by the East African Community, the Government of Rwanda, the East African Business Council, the Commonwealth Business Council and the Investment Promotion Authorities of all the five EAC member states.


Sources: State House & PPS

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Kibaki to address East African investment summit in Rwanda

President Kibaki will address the official opening of an investment conference in Kigali, Rwanda on Thursday.The President left for Rwanda on Wednesday for the ninth Summit of the Heads of State of the East African Community.
The First East African Investment Conference is organised by the EAC, the Government of Rwanda, the East African Business Council, the Commonwealth Business Council and the Investment Promotion Authorities of all the five EAC partner states.

The presidential plane left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport at 2.10pm.President Kibaki was received at JKIA by Defence minister Yusuf Haji, Chief of the General Staff Jeremiah Kianga, Police Commissioner Hussein Ali, Kenya Airports Authority managing director George Muhoho and former Foreign Affairs minister Raphael Tuju.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and former National Assembly deputy Speaker David Musila were also at the airport to see off the President.Mr Kibaki arrived at the Kayibanda International Airport, Kigali, shortly before 3pm and was received by Rwandan Prime Minister Bernard Makuza, Kenya’s East African Community minister Amason Kingi and Kenya’s ambassador to Rwanda Alex Keter.

Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Foreign Affairs PS Thuita Mwangi and State House Comptroller Hyslop Ipu accompanied the President.The President later inspected a guard of honour and was also entertained by several groups of traditional dancers.
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Story by LUCAS BARASA

Photo Gallery: General

Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere (r), briefs journalists on traffic amendments on axle load limits in his office in Nairobi yesterday. He is flanked by the ministry’s deputy vice secretary Phillip Langat.








Welcoming Polish Minister at his Nairobi Trancom House, Office

Raila & Team wins Kenya friends in America

Prime Minister Raila Odinga (standing) witnessing the signing of Kenya and US Open Skies agreement by Transport minister Chirau Mwakwere and US Transport Secretary Mary Peterson.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga impressed US officials as well as independent analysts during his three-day official visit to Washington. He won respect not only for himself as a politician but for Kenya as a nation returning to stability and striving for prosperity.

Mr Odinga was warmly received at each of the five public appearances. He was also said to have struck the right codes in a series of closed-door meetings with senior Bush administration figures and key members of the US Congress.

But while Mr Odinga did sign an Open Skies agreement permitting direct flights to and from the US as well as a compact signifying the return of Peace Corps volunteers to Kenya, he did not take home any unexpected prizes from the US government.

And a certain awkwardness was evident on the few occasions when he was asked whether he would be meeting with the two major US presidential candidates: Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.
Neither of the prospective leaders greeted Mr Odinga. The standoff posture was especially notable in the case of Mr Obama, an African-American. The likeliest explanation is that the senator’s camp did not want to provide grist for an Internet rumour mill that distorts Mr Obama’s tribal kinship with Mr Odinga as a sinister association. Obama-haters circulating defamatory e-mail messages depict Mr Odinga as both an Islamist and a radical leftist.

Carefully scripted visit

But the omission of an Obama meeting did not deflect attention from the focus of Mr Odinga’s carefully scripted visit, which was jointly orchestrated by the two countries’ respective embassies. As the prime minister himself indicated at one point, he had come to Washington mainly to burnish Kenya’s tarnished image. Mr Odinga travelled to the US not to ask new favours but to express gratitude for the help the US provided during the post-election turmoil.

Indeed, Mr Odinga declared at a luncheon hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa that Kenya is seeking investment rather than aid. He also suggested in a policy speech that Africans should take responsibility for their own problems instead of looking to the United States and other outsiders for answers.
Those calls for self-sufficiency were coupled with strong condemnation of the Mugabe regime in Zimbabwe. US officials were especially delighted to hear an African leader echo Washington’s position on that crisis.
“The vision he sketched out is the kind of thing that has real resonance in this town,” said Mark Bellamy, a Washington-based former ambassador to Kenya. Mr Odinga struck his hosts as an authentically new type of African leader, Mr Bellamy added.

A similar assessment was offered by Joel Barkan, a Kenya expert at the non-governmental Centre for Strategic and International Studies where Mr Odinga spoke soon after arriving in the US.
To Mr Barkan, the greatest significance of the visit was the opportunity it afforded Washington to “put its imprimatur on the prime minister post and the coalition government in a very visible way so Kenyans could see it”.

Mr Odinga was treated as “one of two representatives of the Kenyan government,” Mr Barkan said, noting that the prime minister was officially received “at all but the highest level, which is reserved for heads of state”. Mr Odinga did not meet President George W. Bush but was invited to the White House for a talk with National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley in addition to being welcomed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
There was general receptivity to Mr Odinga’s reassurances in regard to Kenya’s stability and readiness to do business. Not only was the prime minister judged to be a persuasive advocate, but he was able to tap a reservoir of good will toward Kenya on the part of some influential Americans.

Mr Odinga recalled on a couple of occasions the “airlift” of the early 1960s that brought hundreds of Kenyan students to the United States. Expressing his “fond nostalgia” for that expression of American support for newly independent Kenya, Mr Odinga was drawing on what Peter Ogego, Kenya’s ambassador to the US, described as “the historically friendly relationship” between the two countries.

Americans had started returning to Kenya as tourists even prior to Mr Odinga’s assurances in Washington that the country is safe to visit. Ambassador Ogego told the Sunday Nation that the Kenya embassy was processing an average of 300 visa applications per day, compared to 250 a day in June last year.

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SUNDAY NATION
Story by KEVIN J KELLEY
Publication Date: 6/22/2008
___________________________________________________________________________________

THE HONORABLE MARY PETERSSECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATIONU.S.-KENYA OPEN SKIES AGREEMENT SIGNING

WASHINGTON, DC

JUNE 18, 20082:30 PM
Thank you all for coming. Please be seated.

Prime Minister Odinga, Ambassador Ogego, Minister of Transportation Mwakwere, honored guests:

Welcome to the United States and to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Welcome also to U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger, and to our State Department colleagues.

We are so pleased to have you join us today on this historic occasion.

First, however, allow me to express our deep condolences to Prime Minister Odinga and to all the people of Kenya for the losses suffered in last week’s tragic airplane crash, which took four lives, including two of your cabinet officials. June 10 was a devastating day for aviation in Africa, with crashes in Kenya and Sudan.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you as well as with the people of Sudan.We look forward to continuing our partnership with your government, and especially the Ministry of Transport, in providing aviation safety, security, and air navigation assistance under our Safe Skies for Africa program.

And today, we add a new dimension to that partnership with the signing of the first-ever aviation services accord between the United States and Kenya.

It is significant that we are establishing a full Open Skies relationship between our two countries. Open skies agreements are fast becoming the standard for 21st Century aviation relationships across the globe.

Under President Bush, the United States has worked hard to remove regulatory barriers and build Open Skies relationships. I am very proud to say we now have over 92 Open Skies partners, including 20 in Africa with the addition of Kenya.

Today’s agreement lays the groundwork for future air service between the United States and Kenya that will provide new options for travelers as well as economic benefits to both countries. Already, Delta Air Lines is considering providing service between New York and Nairobi. And we look forward to U.S. and Kenya carriers participating in future growth of this market.

President Bush has called Africa a “continent of potential.” Transportation is critical to realizing that potential, and Mr. Prime Minister, your presence here today speaks to your understanding of the critical tie between transportation and prosperity.You are not alone.

I have met recently to discuss these linkages with world leaders including Prime Minister Rudd, who personally attended the signing of the U.S.-Australia Open Skies Accord in April, and during my recent trip to Afghanistan with Prime Minister Karzai. U.S. and Chinese leaders have included transportation on the agenda of the Strategic Economic Dialogue taking place this week in Annapolis, recognizing that transportation drives trade and prosperity.

And during his trip to East Africa last spring, Deputy Secretary Barrett discussed the link between transportation and successful, competitive trade with Minister Mwakwere and other East African transportation leaders.

It speaks highly of our shared commitment that the U.S. and Kenya were able to reach this final agreement after just two days of negotiations. But while this deal to unite through the air may have been concluded quickly, its benefits will be long-lasting.In a world where access – access to information, access to opportunity, and access to easy travel – is the key to success, this agreement will strengthen our economies for years to come.With that, I would like to thank Prime Minister Odingo for his leadership, and invite him to say a few words. Mr. Prime Minister…

Photo Gallery: Siasa High Octane

1. September 16 - President Kibaki and supporters at Nairobi's Kenyatta International Conference Centre when he declared he would seek re-election on a Party of National Unity (Panu) tickect.

2. Shirikisho Party of Kenya leader Chirau Mwakwere cuts a tape during the opening of its head office at Mtwapa in Mombasa. Party director of programmes Sheikh Juma Ngao is on the left.

3. Vice-President Moody Awori (left) confers with GNU chief whip Norman Nyaga after attending the group’s meeting at KICC, Nairobi, yesterday. The talks, which brought together Government-friendly MPs, failed to agree on the number of new constituencies to be created ahead of the December elections. Photo/CHRIS OJOW

4. Tononoka Grounds-- Mombasa

5. Coast leaders (from left) Tourism and Wildlife minister, Mr Morris Dzoro, Transport minister Mr Chirau Mwakwere, Kisauni MP Anania Mwaboza and Magarini MP Mr Harrison Kombe in a show of unity with Shirikisho Party leaders before a rally at Tononoka Grounds, Mombasa, on Sunday.

6. Cabinet minister Chirau Ali Makwere (left) welcomes Miji Kenda spokesman Ali Chidzondo (right) when he arrived at Chandaria Hall in Mombasa June 24,2007.

7. Transport minister Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere (left) and his Tourism and Wildlife counterpart, Mr Morris Dzoro, arrive at Chandaria Hall, Mombasa, where they ditched Narc-Kenya for little-known Shirikisho Party of Kenya

8. Ministers Dzorro and Mwalwere addressing a press conferecne in a Mombasa Hotel

Prime Minister jets to US

Prime Minister Raila Odinga leaves this evening for a three-day official visit to the US.
He will brief US senior Government officials and business leaders on how Kenyans are building stability and moving the economy forward under the Grand Coalition Government.

The highlights of the visit include a meeting with US Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice, and Mr Steve Hadley, National Security Adviser to President George Bush, at the White House.
He will also meet major congressional leaders — such as senators Russell Feingold and Bill Nelson, and representatives Donald Payne and Nita Lowey, who head or serve on committees dealing with American policy on Africa — as well as the top ranking Republican members of these committees.

The Prime Minister will be accompanied by Cabinet ministers Yusuf Hajj (Defence) and Chirau Ali Mwakwere (Transport).

Also in the entourage are Assistant minister for Trade Omingo Magara, Government Whips George Thuo and Jakoyo Midiwo and Permanent Secretaries Nancy Kirui and Cyrus Njiru.
US ambassador Michael Ranneberger is also travelling to the US for the visit.
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Published on June 15, 2008, 12:00 am
By Ben Agina

PETITION CASE NEWS

Matuga case for next week

Story by EUNICE MACHUHI

POLITICSAn application by an Electoral Commission of Kenya official seeking to strike out an election petition filed against a Cabinet minister has been dismissed.

Also dismissed was an application by Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, seeking to stay the proceedings of the case until an appeal, which he has filed at the Court of Appeal, is heard and determined.Judge Joseph Sergon, sitting in Mombasa, noted that if the minister’s application was allowed, it would delay the hearing of the main petition to the detriment of the petitioner.
The judge consequently directed that a pending application for scrutiny and recount filed by petitioner Ayub Juma Mwakesi be argued on Friday next week.
Mr Ali Maalim Hassan, the electoral officer, who supervised the Matuga elections, had filed an application to have the petition against Mr Mwakwere struck out for lack of personal service.

Not in dispute

But the petitioner, through lawyer Mohammed Balala, said that he acted diligently.In his ruling delivered Monday in presence of the minister, the petitioner and their supporters, Mr Justice Sergon noted that although it was not in dispute that the returning officer had not been personally served, it was clear from the affidavits of the process servers that they exercised due diligence.++++++++++++++++

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Weather to blame for crash

Preliminary investigations into Tuesday’s tragic plane crash in which a minister and an assistant minister perished indicate that the ill-fated aircraft was flying in poor visibility at the time of the accident.

A statement by the Minister for Transport Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere has said investigators on the ground had established that the aircraft lost height and hit trees and a roof of a house before crashing.

The light Cessna 210 aircraft registration 5Y-BVE operated by Skytraders Limited crashed near Narok town killing Roads Minister Kipkalya Kones, Home Affairs assistant minister Lorna Laboso, the minister’s bodyguard and the pilot.
Remains of the deceased were flown from the scene of the crash Wednesday morning and received by high ranking government officials, MPs, family and friends.
A sombre mood engulfed Wilson airport when the Kenya Air Force choppers carrying the remains and a team of MPs and top government administrators who had flown to the scene in early morning hours, touched down between 11.42 am and 11.45 am.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende led a large number of MPs who turned out to receive the remains of their colleagues.
Emotions ran high and tears flowed freely as they were carried off the chopper and a brief session of prayers and speeches held beside the landing strip.
Mrs Ida Odinga and Aldai MP Sally Kosgei were among those who could not control their tears and sobbed in an emotional embrace. Mr Kones’ two widows and Ms Laboso’s close family members wept uncontrollably as they waited for the bodies to arrive.

Mr Mwakwere’s statement stated that the Government would issue a full report as soon as investigations are completed.
Agriculture Minister William Ruto who led a team of MPs to the scene of accident hours earlier to prepare the bodies for transportation to Nairobi, later described the scene of the crash, the state of the aircraft and the condition of the bodies.
The minister clarified that the plane did not burst into flames as earlier claimed. He ruled out possible engine failure and explained that the Kenya Civil Aviation team on the ground had indicated in its preliminary report that the engines of the aircraft were still running, but were ripped off by the time of the crash.
The KCA team headed by the director of Air Accident Investigations in the Ministry Mr Peter Wakahia has already cordoned off the area and further investigations are ongoing.
Mr Ruto said the wreckage of the aircraft indicated that it was in high speed by the time it smashed into trees and the side of a hill.

“From the way it crashed, there was no chance for anyone to survive,” the minister said. He explained that the aircraft’s wings were ripped off by trees and its main trunk ripped into pieces.
Preliminary investigations had also indicated that the German pilot flying the aircraft was fairly new in the country and might not have mastered the terrain, according to the minister.
Mr Ruto, however, said there may have been a combination of issues that could have caused the accident and urged the KCA team to conduct comprehensive investigations.

Addressing mourners at Wilson airport Mr Odinga who had earlier held a meeting with President Kibaki, said the Government will foot all the burial costs of the deceased.
“The Government shall give them decent burial befitting heroes. It is the greatest gift to give them,” he said.
He appealed for calm and cautioned against speculation over the cause of the crash.
“Let us all be patient so that thorough and conclusive investigations can be done,” he said.
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka said the country had lost committed ministers. He described the late Kones as a hero in every sense who stood through thick and thin with his Bomet people.
The VP said he had met the late Laboso who was an assistant minister in his office before she embarked on her tragic journey and she had been in high spirits.

“She was as cheerful as ever, so exuberant and so dedicated,” he stated.
Mr Marende expressed regret that the country had already lost four legislators just within six months.
“It is a sad spectacle because the year has been exceptionally difficult for Parliament. It is very sad and painful and we shall miss their contribution and vibrancy,” he stated.
Remains of the deceased are being preserved at Lee Funeral Home.
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Daily Nation
Story by CAROLINE WAFULA
Publication Date: 6/11/2008

Kisumu Aiport to be upgraded

The Government has unveiled its plans to start construction and expansion of Kisumu Airport at a cost of Ksh 2.9 billion to bring it to international standards
The project to be undertaken by China Overseas Engineering Group Co. {COVEC} Ltd will take twenty-two months.

Speaking during a stakeholder's consultative meeting at a hotel in Kisumu town to chart the way forward, Minister for transport Ali Chirau Mwakwere asked those claiming ownership of the land earmarked for extension to seek redress regarding their compensation with the Ministry of lands.
He said Kisumu was one of the Airports earmarked for development alongside the expansion of Jomo Kenya international Airport.

Speaking at the same function local members of parliament Prof Peter Anyang' Nyong'o and Alago Aluoch supported the project, saying it would enhance the economic development of the area and ensure Kisumu regains its place as a hub of economic activity in the East African region.
Prof. Nyong'o, who is also Minister for Medical Services, said the project should not be frustrated through endless bickering and assured the aggrieved people that their issues would be addressed by the Minister for lands.

The chairman of Kenya Airports Authority Eng. Erastus Mwongera and its Managing Director George Muhoho said the Authority has a title deed for the land in question and would be handing over the project to the contractor to commence his works on the 15th of these months.
Under the expansion program the Airport's runway is to be extended to 3000m, new terminals and Aprons constructed to accommodate larger Aircrafts including the Boeings.
Present was also Minister for lands Gonzi Rai who said a national land policy was being prepared to help address persistent land wrangles in the country.

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Written By:claire wanja/KNA

Posted: Sat, Jun 07, 2008

http://www.kbc.co.ke/story.asp?ID=50549

Mombasa port sees rapid growth in trade

By ABDUL SAMAD ALI Special Correspondent

Despite struggling with congestion arising from non-movement of cargo due to the post-election violence in the country early this year, the port of Mombasa has recorded increased business for the first quarter.
According to a report by the Kenya Ports Authority, the port has seen a rise in cargo throughput in the three months of this year compared with last year’s performance.
Between January and March this year, the port handled a total of 4.2 million tonnes compared with 3.8 million tonnes over the same period last year.

This was an increase of 398,559 tonnes or 10.5 per cent.
However, the port’s delivery systems — road and railway — were still underperforming, with railway being the main culprit.
Importers, too, are still slow in clearing and removing cargo from the port.
During the crisis the port handled over 17,000 containers stretching the facility’s capabilities. Its capacity is 14,000 twenty foot equivalent units (teu).
This forced the authority to partner with container freight stations to store some of the containers.

KPA managing director Abdalla Mwaruwa has appealed to port users help the facility operate more efficiently.
According to the report, domestic traffic remained dominant, bringing in 70.5 per cent of the business between January and March.

This was followed by transit cargo at 26.4 per cent and transshipment at 3.1 per cent.
Domestic cargo increased by 230,596 tonnes or 8.4 per cent, recording 2.7 million tonnes.
Transit cargo went up by 15.3 per cent, from 964,264 tonnes in 2007 to 1.1 million tonnes in 2008, its market share also rising from 25.4 per cent in 2007 to 26.4 per cent in 2008.
Transshipment cargo increased by 19.2 per cent from 107,623 tonnes in 2007 to 128,234 tonnes in 2008, with a market share of 3.1 per cent in 2008, up from 2.8 per cent in 2007.
The total container traffic volume recorded a marginal increase of 0.1 per cent, with 140,104 teu handled in the period compared with a total of 139,970 teu handled over the same period in 2007.

In order to increase capacity to meet the challenges posed by the surging import containers, KPA will spend Ksh20 billion ($317.4 million) to dredge and build the second container terminal to allow bigger vessels to call at the port.

Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere recently said Ksh16 billion ($263.9 million) will be used to build and equip the second container terminal while Ksh4 billion ($63.4 million) will go to dredging of the harbour channel and widening of the turning basin.
Construction of the second container terminal will be funded by Japan while the Kenya government undertakes the dredging. Both projects are to be completed by 2011.
Currently, the port can only handle midsized vessels due to the depth of the channel.
“Because of the success the port has had in the recent past, its cargo handling capacity is overstretched,” said Mr Mwakwere.

Mombasa port last year handled a total of 15.9 million tonnes, representing a rise of over 1.5 million tonnes or 10.5 per cent compared with the 14.4 million tonnes handled in 2006.
“This performance was against a backdrop of a challenging year in which the authority successfully weathered the threat of the vessel delay surcharge,” he said.
The port of Dar es Salaam is already reeling under the punitive surcharge by shipping lines due to delays in clearance of ships that call at the port.

The waiting period for vessels to be cleared has been on an average of 10 days.
The Kenyan port was also threatened by the delay surcharge when ships had to wait for over eight days, but this has since changed after the management convinced the shipping lines that there would be a turn around.