The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has issued a customer notice directing the removal of long-stay containers and condemned cargo from the Port of Mombasa.
In a notice dated July 31, 2025, KPA Managing Director Captain William Ruto said it has been conducting a port clean-up exercise to free up yard space and enhance safety, efficiency, and overall service delivery.
As part of this initiative, a yard audit was conducted, and the authority has since published a list of containers still lying at the port, pending destruction as previously recommended.
Shipping lines have been notified and are required to either evacuate or arrange for the destruction of the listed containers within 14 days from the date of the notice, by close of business on August 14, 2025.
“Please note that in the event of your failure to comply with this notice, the Authority shall undertake the destruction and/or removal of the listed containers at your cost, without any further reference to the owners,” Captain Ruto warned.
KPA Issues 14-day ultimatum to owners with idle containers at Mombasa Port
The list of affected containers can be accessed through the KPA website under the Notices section: kpa.co.ke/Pages/PublicNotices.aspx.
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This is not the first time KPA has undertaken such an exercise. In April 2024, the authority launched a similar clean-up targeting privately owned equipment, long-stay empty containers, and tools, including stalled vehicles stored within the port’s sick bays.
In that earlier statement, Captain Ruto also gave container owners a 14-day ultimatum to evacuate their property from the port, warning that failure to do so would result in removal at the owners’ cost.
Owners were required to pay any outstanding charges prior to evacuation. The list of affected containers was available at the office of the Manager, Container Operations.
KPA maintained that the removal of such overstayed items was necessary to maximize available space and improve port efficiency.
Mandatory requirement for all imports into Kenya
Separately, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) issued a public notice on July 9 reminding importers that, effective July 1, 2025, all consignments entering Kenya must be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin (COO).
Also Read: KRA Introduces Mandatory Requirement for All Imports Into Kenya
The COO must be issued by a competent authority in the country of export, in accordance with Section 44A of the Tax Procedures Act, CAP. 469B, as amended by the Finance Act, 2025.
“This marks a significant shift from previous practice, where COOs were only required for goods under preferential trade arrangements,” KRA stated.
To facilitate the transition, KRA provided a grace period until September 30, 2025, for importers to obtain the necessary documentation. Importers are urged to engage their suppliers early to ensure compliance and avoid disruptions to future shipments.
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