Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto have reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing efficiency at the Port of Mombasa.

The two made the remarks during a high-level stakeholder engagement forum held at the port, bringing together key players across the maritime and logistics sector.

Mr. Wattanga said the collaboration between KRA and KPA is central to improving service delivery and strengthening Kenya’s position as a regional trade hub.

“Our focus is on streamlining processes, reducing cargo dwell time, and ensuring faster customs clearance without compromising compliance,” he noted, adding that efficiency at the port directly impacts the cost of doing business.

Captain Ruto emphasized that the Port of Mombasa remains a critical gateway for the region and that sustained reforms are necessary to meet growing demand.

“We are working closely with KRA and other stakeholders to strengthen port operations and improve cargo evacuation, especially for long-stay containers,” he said.

“These measures are aimed at delivering a seamless experience for our customers.”

The forum brought together shipping lines, clearing and forwarding agents under the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), transporters, and other maritime industry players.

Both agencies recently rolled out joint interventions designed to expedite cargo clearance and reinforce the Northern Corridor’s competitiveness as the region’s primary trade artery, with stakeholders encouraged to support the reforms for collective growth

The Governments of Kenya and Rwanda have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to officially operationalize the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Kigali Liaison Office, in a move aimed at strengthening regional trade and logistics cooperation.

The MoU was signed in Kigali by Principal Secretary for the State Department for Transport, Mr. Mohamed Daghar, and Rwanda’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, CPA Canoth Manishimwe.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, CPA Manishimwe underscored the critical role played by KPA in facilitating regional trade, particularly for Rwandan businesses that rely on the Port of Mombasa as a key gateway.

“The signing of this MoU is a positive step towards enhancing bilateral relations between Rwanda and Kenya, while ensuring that our business community enjoys efficient and reliable port services,” he said.

Mr. Daghar noted that the operationalization of the Kigali liaison office reflects the two governments’ shared commitment to deepening regional integration and strengthening East Africa’s logistics corridors.

“This MoU embodies our joint resolve to expand Kenya’s and Rwanda’s strategic role in the region’s maritime and inland logistics network, with the Port of Mombasa remaining a critical pillar,” he stated.

Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto said the Authority is continuing to streamline port operations and improve service delivery to support growing regional cargo volumes.

“Rwanda remains one of our key transit markets, and the steady growth in cargo through the Port of Mombasa demonstrates the confidence our regional partners have in KPA’s efficiency and capacity,” he said.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Mwanaisha Chidzuga has officially registered as a candidate for the Kwale County Woman Representative seat in the 2027 General Election through the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, marking her entry into elective politics at the county level.

Speaking after her registration, Chidzuga said she was ready to serve the people of Kwale by executing the mandate of the office with integrity, fairness, and inclusivity.

“I am prepared to take up this responsibility and serve the people of Kwale with justice and equality, ensuring that every voice is heard,” she said.

The former Tv News Anchor noted that her decision to vie for the seat under the UDA party is driven by a desire to strengthen development and social empowerment initiatives across the county.

“I am ready to represent the people of Kwale as Woman Representative in 2027, Insha’Allah,” she stated.

She has been at the forefront of community development and grassroots mobilization, particularly in women empowerment, access to SHA services, education, and social cohesion.

According to Chidzuga, these focus areas will remain central to her agenda as she seeks the Kwale Woman Representative seat on a UDA ticket.

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has issued a public warning over a surge in recruitment scams targeting unsuspecting job seekers, cautioning the public against fraudsters falsely claiming to offer employment opportunities at the Authority.

In a public notice, KPA said the scammers are impersonating senior management, staff, or posing as agents and brokers, with the aim of extorting money from desperate job seekers.

"KPA does not solicit, demand or accept any form of payment at any stage of its recruitment process,” the Authority stated, emphasizing that all hiring is conducted through a transparent, merit-based and structured system.

The Authority reiterated that it is an equal opportunity employer and that any claims of paid job placements linked to KPA are fraudulent.

The Authority further urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected recruitment fraud to the nearest police station.

“We advise the public to refrain from sharing personal information or making payments to individuals claiming to facilitate employment at KPA,” the statement added, noting that the Authority will not be held liable for losses arising from such scams.

The Cabinet Secretary for Mining and Blue Economy, Hon. Ali Hassan Joho, together with the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Mining, Harry Kimtai, led a delegation on an inspection tour of the Maritime Survival Training and Certification Centre at Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA).

The visit forms part of the Government’s ongoing commitment to strengthening Kenya’s Maritime and Blue Economy sector through the development of world-class training infrastructure and capacity building for seafarers and maritime professionals.

The delegation was received by the Chairman of the BMA Board of Directors, Eng. Lung’anzi Chai Mangale, accompanied by Board Directors Joab Tumbo and Ahmed Elyass, and BMA Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Eric Katana, together with members of the Academy’s senior management team.

During the tour, CS Joho and PS Kimtai were taken through the facility’s key training components, including survival-at-sea modules, firefighting simulations, personal safety training, emergency response procedures, and certification processes aligned with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and STCW Convention standards.

The leaders commended BMA for its role in building a skilled maritime workforce and reaffirmed the Government’s support for continued investment in maritime education, safety training, and the growth of the Blue Economy, noting that institutions such as BMA are critical to positioning Kenya as a regional Maritime hub.

The Maritime Survival Training and Certification Centre is a flagship facility designed to enhance safety standards in the maritime sector while ensuring Kenyan seafarers are globally competitive and fully compliant with international requirements.

Ten cadets from Bandari Maritime Academy (BMA) are set to commence a six-month sea-time training programme under a strategic partnership between the Academy and global ship management company Danica Crewing Specialists.

The cadets were officially flagged off today during a ceremony held at Bandari Maritime Academy, an event graced by BMA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Eric Katana and Danica Crewing Specialists Chief Executive Officer Henrik Jensen, alongside key stakeholders in maritime education and regulation.

Speaking during the event, Dr. Katana reaffirmed the Academy’s commitment to addressing the long-standing challenge of sea-time placement for maritime students pursuing Marine Engineering and Nautical Science.

He noted that the collaboration with Danica is a major milestone in BMA’s efforts to produce competent, globally competitive seafarers by ensuring cadets acquire the mandatory practical sea-time required for certification and career progression.

“This partnership goes beyond training; it is about securing the future of our young maritime professionals. Sea-time remains a critical component of maritime training, and we are grateful to Danica for opening doors for our cadets to gain invaluable onboard experience on internationally trading vessels,” said Dr. Katana.

On his part, Henrik Jensen lauded Bandari Maritime Academy for its dedication to quality maritime education and expressed Danica’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of seafarers.

He emphasized that the cadets will be exposed to real-world ship operations, international safety standards, and professional shipboard culture, which are essential in shaping disciplined and skilled maritime officers.

Representing the Deputy Director, Maritime Education and Training, Chief Engineer Titus Kilonzi, Senior Principal Nautical Science Trainer Major (Rtd) Frankline Toniok encouraged the cadets to uphold professionalism, discipline, and integrity while at sea, reminding them that they are ambassadors of the Academy and the country.

Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Assistant Director, Maritime Labour Josephine Nthia, underscored the Authority’s support for structured sea-time training programmes, noting that such initiatives are vital in ensuring compliance with international maritime conventions, including the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).

On behalf of the cadets, Engine Cadet Franklin Kagechu and Deck Cadet Marion Madzo expressed their gratitude to Bandari Maritime Academy, Danica Crewing Specialists, and all partners involved for the opportunity.

They pledged to remain committed, hardworking, and disciplined as they embark on this crucial phase of their maritime careers.

The six-month sea-time training will see the cadets deployed on ocean-going vessels, where they will gain hands-on experience in ship operations, safety procedures, and maritime professionalism an essential step toward their certification and future employment in the global maritime industry.

Citizen TV journalist Mwanahamisi Hamadi is steadily emerging as a figure of interest in Likoni amid growing speculation over a possible parliamentary bid.

Although she has not publicly declared her intentions, her expanding presence on the ground has attracted attention from residents and political observers tracking the constituency’s evolving dynamics.

Hamadi has in recent months intensified her community engagements, visiting public schools across Likoni and making learning-related donations aimed at improving access to education.

Community leaders say her hands-on approach and regular interaction with learners and teachers have helped address practical needs while strengthening her rapport with local residents.

She has also been active in women empowerment through her Mwanamke Bomba initiative, a platform focused on uplifting women socially and economically.

The initiative has supported women involved in small-scale businesses and community groups, further raising Hamadi’s profile as a grassroots-oriented leader beyond her media career.

Her rising visibility appears to be translating into public support.

A recent Mizani Africa poll ranked Hamadi second in popularity in the Likoni parliamentary race behind incumbent MP Mishi Mboko, placing her at 21.2 per cent.

Analysts note that the numbers are significant for a contender who has not formally entered the race, suggesting a potential shift in voter sentiment.

However, in an interview with this blog, Hamadi downplayed political talk, insisting that her current focus remains on service rather than ambition.

“At the moment, I am concentrating on giving back to the community and supporting initiatives that improve people’s lives,” she said, declining to be drawn into discussions about elective politics. Despite her caution, observers say her growing grassroots influence continue

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has announced a crackdown on illegal sewer connections as the county moves to address growing pressure on the city’s aging sanitation infrastructure, even as residents raise concerns over persistent drainage failures.

Nassir said parts of the sewer system were constructed in the 1930s when Mombasa’s population stood at about 30,000, compared to more than 1.9 million residents today.

“Mombasa is growing, and the pressure on this old infrastructure is real and visible,” the governor said.

The governor blamed illegal connections and improper waste disposal for worsening the situation, warning that such practices damage the sewer network and undermine public health.

“Some people are taking shortcuts by illegally connecting to sewer lines without informing the county and by disposing waste that clogs the system. This must stop,” Nassir said, adding that the county has begun identifying and regularising illegal connections and will hold offenders accountable.

His remarks come against the backdrop of demonstrations held last week by a section of Old Town residents, who protested over poor drainage in the area.

The residents warned that the state of drainage exposes them to disease outbreaks, particularly affecting children, and accused the county government of slow action, urging authorities to intervene urgently.

Nassir acknowledged that enforcement alone will not resolve the challenge, noting that Mombasa requires sustained investment to modernise and expand its sewer infrastructure. He said the county had opted for a Public Private Partnership model to bring in capital and technical expertise.

“The reality is that we need heavy investment to deliver long-term, sustainable solutions,” he said, while calling on residents and businesses to cooperate, adding that “a clean, functional city is a shared responsibility.”

A new Mizani Africa opinion poll shows Said Abdalla leading the Nyali parliamentary race with 27.0 percent, followed by Nelson Alfayo at 15.5 per cent and Abdikadir Dekow at 12.2 percent.

"The results indicate a highly competitive race with no dominant candidate at this stage,” Mizani Africa said, noting that the spread of support reflects shifting voter preferences and growing competition among aspirants.

The poll further shows that 26.2 percent of voters remain undecided, a factor analysts say could significantly reshape the outcome as campaigns intensify.

According to the research firm, the large undecided vote presents a critical opportunity for targeted messaging, coalition building, and voter engagement ahead of the election.

"With more than a quarter of voters yet to make up their minds, the Nyali race remains fluid and open to change,” Mizani Africa added, pointing to the decisive role undecided voters are likely to play in determining the final result.

Meanwhile, in the Likoni parliamentary race, current tracking shows area Mp Mishi Mboko in a commanding lead with 54.9 percent  establishing a dominant position well ahead of her rivals.

Mwanahamisi Hamadi trails in distant second at 21.2 per cent, while Mohamed Mwahima has 12.7 per cent, with all other candidates jointly accounting for less than 10 per cent of voter support.

“The Likoni contest is showing clear directional momentum, with voter preference strongly concentrated around the leading candidate,” the tracking data indicates.

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki has called for increased investment in public schools, saying inadequate infrastructure and shortage of teachers continue to undermine education outcomes, particularly for children from low-income families.

He said strengthening public education is critical to ensuring equity and improving academic performance across the country.

“There is a serious lack of proper investment in our public schools. We must invest in infrastructure and teachers if we want to improve results and give every child a fair chance, especially those whose parents are not well off,” Senator Faki said.

Spekaing during a graduation at Qubaa Muslim School, the  Senator also emphasized that parents must play an active role in their children’s education, noting that the responsibility should not be left solely to teachers and school administrations.

According to him, parental involvement is key to discipline, performance, and overall learner development.

"Parents should not leave the issue of education entirely to teachers. They must take personal responsibility and be involved in their children’s academic journey if we are to achieve meaningful results,” he added.

Referring to recent media reports on strong academic performance in Kiharu Constituency, where MP Ndindi Nyoro noted that parents pay as little as Sh500, Senator Faki said the model should serve as a wake-up call for other regions to rethink their approach to public education.

"What we are seeing in Kiharu should prompt us to go back to the drawing board. It shows that when public schools are supported, parents will trust them. Other areas must reflect and ask themselves what more can be done to strengthen public education,” Senator Faki said.