Government Pumps Ksh41 Billion for Port Expansion to Boost Trade Efficiency
President William Ruto with a section of Coast leaders at Mombasa Railway station. (Photo/ Courtesy)
By Mwakwaya Raymond
Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
President William Ruto has announced a significant financial commitment of Ksh41 billion toward the ongoing expansion of the Port of Mombasa, a key infrastructure investment aimed at enhancing the port’s capacity, efficiency, and global competitiveness.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Mombasa Commuter Rail Service on Tuesday, President Ruto emphasized the government’s dedication to positioning Mombasa as a regional logistics hub.
“The government has committed Ksh41 billion to expand the Port of Mombasa, making it more efficient, bigger, and better,” said President Ruto confirming that he will be launching the projects in December this year..
According to the President, the expansion project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, marking a major milestone in Kenya’s Vision 2030 infrastructure blueprint.
The Port of Mombasa is East Africa’s largest seaport and serves as a gateway for imports and exports for several landlocked countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The ongoing upgrade is projected to significantly increase the port’s annual handling capacity and reduce cargo dwell time, a critical step in decongesting maritime logistics.
“This investment is a key pillar in our agenda to strengthen trade, improve transport logistics, and support job creation,” said president Ruto.
The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has previously indicated that the expansion includes the construction of additional berths, a modern container terminal, and enhanced cargo handling systems.
Once complete, these upgrades could raise the port’s annual container throughput to over 2 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs).Ruto said this has been attributed by increased throughput at port of Mombasa from 1 Million TEUs to 2 million TEUS.
In addition to the port development, President Ruto confirmed that the government is allocating further resources to complete key road infrastructure projects in Mombasa County including the Mombasa-Malindi Highway.
“These projects are not just about moving goods; they’re about transforming the economy of the Coast region and unlocking new opportunities for Kenyans,” Ruto added.
With increased global trade and growing demand for efficient logistics, Kenya’s investment in maritime infrastructure is expected to reinforce its role as a strategic trade corridor in the region. The Mombasa Port expansion, coupled with ongoing developments at the Lamu Port and improvements to the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), suggests a multi-pronged approach to modernizing the country’s transport and logistics framework.
As the year-end deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the execution of the Ksh41 billion investment, a move that could set a new benchmark for East African port operations and stimulate broader economic growth.
