Kenyan transport operators have threatened a strike after the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) issued a directive mandating rail transport of cargo from Mombasa Port to Naivasha. The measure aims to reduce port congestion and improve cargo tracking. However, operators claim it is unconstitutional and will lead to job losses.
Congestion persists at Mombasa Port, with over 20 ships awaiting service and more than 500 empty containers unreturned. Roads Minister Davis Chirchir has warned heads of government agencies like the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and KRA that failure to implement orders will result in dismissals, citing coordination issues.
KRA has directed cargo to be transported by Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to the Naivasha Inland Container Depot (ICD), particularly for landlocked countries including Uganda, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Rwanda. Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga announced this on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, to alleviate congestion and enhance customs tracking.
The Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) and Transport Workers Union (TAWU) have strongly opposed the move. KTA Chairman Newton Wang’oo stated the directive violates cargo owners' rights to choose transport modes and lacks commercial justification. "The current congestion stems from poor planning, ship scheduling issues, and challenges in clearing empty containers," Wang’oo said.
TAWU warned of legal action and a strike if enforced, referencing past job losses from similar attempts. The High Court nullified a comparable directive in November 2020, ruling it lacked public participation. President William Ruto abolished the policy in 2022.
Trucks have been halted since last Friday due to KRA's Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) maintenance from February 7-9, 2026, which remains partially unrestored, causing a traffic jam exceeding three kilometers.
