IMPORTANCE FOR RESURRECTION OF MOMBASA PORT

 The port of Mombasa is the key entry and exit point for cargo belonging to a vast hinterland that include Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia.

This is good for the people of Uganda who rely on the port for import-export trade. Large vessels operated by top shipping lines call on it on a regular basis to lead and unload cargo that is critical to Uganda's economic development. Today Mombasa's largest industrial sectors are transport and manufacturing. Increasingly however, Mombasa's economy has become reliant on its port and developing tourism industry.

Traders have welcomed President William Ruto's pledge to revert key port logistics services to the Mombasa port. The move is seen as key to reviving the coast economy and restoring jobs lost from the port to be transported by Standard Gauge Railway in 2018 to Nairobi and Naivasha dry ports.

On Tuesday, September 13, Kenya National chamber of commerce and industry (KNCCI) Mombasa chairman Mustafa Ramadhan said President Ruto's move will restore the jobs lost in the clearing and forwarding sector, CFSs and road transport.

"This is a good move for the economy of the coast region. It will create jobs particularly in the clearing and forwarding sector and road transport. Currently, officers spaces are empty in most of major buildings after businesses shifted,"he said.