The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has called for stronger coordination among government agencies, wider adoption of digital systems and consistent enforcement of cargo-handling procedures to improve efficiency at the country’s principal maritime gateway.
The proposals were raised during a stakeholder consultation on addressing bribery, embezzlement and money laundering risks within the Port of Mombasa ecosystem, convened by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The meeting brought together public and private sector representatives to identify weaknesses in port operations and develop practical measures to strengthen accountability, transparency and integrity in trade facilitation.
Abdallah Athman, KAM Coast Region Chair, told the forum that improving cargo clearance processes was critical to reducing the cost of doing business and supporting the growth of Kenya’s manufacturing sector.
He highlighted the need for closer coordination among agencies responsible for port operations, customs procedures and cargo movement, noting that fragmented processes and limited transparency can create operational inefficiencies and opportunities for unethical practices.
For manufacturers, delays at the port can translate into additional storage charges, demurrage fees and interruptions to production schedules. These costs can raise the price of finished goods, weaken the competitiveness of locally produced products and complicate delivery commitments to domestic and export markets.
The impact extends beyond individual companies, given Mombasa’s role as a gateway for cargo serving Kenya and other markets across East and Central Africa.
Athman called for the full implementation of Smart Gate technology to automate cargo verification and truck movement, reducing reliance on manual procedures and improving the traceability of port operations.
Digital systems can help improve the consistency of inspections, strengthen oversight and reduce opportunities for discretionary interventions during cargo processing. Their effectiveness, however, depends on reliable implementation, coordination among agencies and clear accountability for decisions made throughout the clearance process.
KAM also stressed the importance of consistently applying a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) container evacuation policy to ensure containers are processed in the order prescribed by the system.
The association said predictable and transparent container movement would promote fairness among port users, improve planning for manufacturers and logistics operators, and minimise avoidable delays.
For businesses operating on tight production schedules, reliable cargo evacuation is particularly important because imported raw materials, machinery and intermediate goods often feed directly into manufacturing processes. Delays in receiving these inputs can affect factory output, inventory management and the fulfilment of customer orders.
The consultation also placed port integrity within the wider challenge of protecting trade and financial systems from illicit activities. Bribery, embezzlement and money laundering risks can weaken confidence in trade procedures, distort competition and increase the cost of legitimate business.
Addressing these vulnerabilities requires more than enforcement alone. Effective cooperation among customs authorities, port operators, security agencies and private sector users is essential to closing procedural gaps, sharing information and ensuring that established rules are applied consistently.
For Kenya, improving the efficiency of Mombasa port operations is closely linked to its ambitions to expand manufacturing, attract investment and strengthen its position as a regional logistics and distribution hub.
As competition among regional trade corridors intensifies, reducing cargo clearance times and improving transparency could help lower business costs while making Kenyan supply chains more predictable.
KAM said continued engagement between public institutions and private sector stakeholders would be important in identifying operational weaknesses and advancing practical reforms.
The outcome will depend on translating recommendations into enforceable procedures, effective digital systems and measurable improvements in cargo clearance, helping ensure that the Port of Mombasa supports industrial growth and regional trade without exposing businesses to unnecessary costs and integrity risks.
