On 8^th May 2023, the KEPSA Transport and Infrastructure Sector Board held a Ministerial Stakeholder Forum (MSF) with the Cabinet Secretary for Roads, Transport and Public Works Hon. Kipchumba Murkomen at the Ministry’s offices. The KEPSA delegation was led by Mr Justus Kirigua, the Sector Board’s Vice Chairperson.

In his welcoming remarks, the Cabinet Secretary reiterated his commitment towards delivering an efficient transport sector by working in partnership with the private sector. He appreciated the MSF platform as an avenue for feedback on the progress made in terms of the development and growth of the transport sector.

Mr Kirigua, on his part, appreciated the commitment from the Cabinet Secretary and the Ministry at large for continued engagement with the private sector and always being ready to listen to emerging issues. He highlighted the resolution of some of the issues that were raised in the first meeting which included addressing the human resource management issue by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) at the port and border points which has led to efficient shift management and transit trucks being armed even during weekends. Mr Kirigua also lauded the freedom of choice for South Sudan transit cargo which has enhanced regional business.

The following were the key takeaways from the engagement;

1. Working teams were formulated with the Directors of Road Transport, Air Transport and Maritime services tasked to work with the technical teams of the sub-sectors in KEPSA to unlock the different pain points in the sector.
2. KEPSA through Kenya Transporters Association (KTA) to share a write-up to support the uniform implementation of the axle load regulations.
3. The Ministry will work on the publishing of the following cabinet memos within 2 weeks;

1. The cool logistics Memo; This will address the development of infrastructure to support exports by sea by increasing the capacity of the reefer points at the port and the inland container depots.
2. The e-mobility Memo; This will promote the uptake of electric transport modes and infrastructure.
3. The Smart transport system Memo; This will assist in unlocking instant fines and a proposal for the formation of a Task Force incorporating the Private Sector which will address the challenges and the implementation framework of instant fines.

4. The Ministry is to provide an update in the next meeting on the signing and the implementation of a memorandum of understanding with a firm in the Netherlands to support cool logistics infrastructure.
5. KEPSA to share a paper on enhancing the last mile of cargo transported by the standard gauge railway (SGR).
6. KEPSA to share a position paper on the issues affecting the industry around insurance and specifically the issues with the Insurance (Motor Vehicles Third Party Risks) Act Cap 405 and the COMESA insurance rate.
7. It was noted that the National Aviation Policy was in its final drafting stages with the Ministry incorporating the aspect of promotion of investment in the aviation space. After the incorporation, the policy will be finalized and released.

It was agreed that a follow-up meeting to review the progress of the commitments would be convened in a month’s time.