KPA Chief Executive Officer Capt. William K. Ruto/HANDOUTThe Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is expanding port infrastructure and upgrading digital systems to handle rising cargo volumes.
The new projects are expected to increase capacity and speed up the movement of goods.
The expansion includes the construction of Berth 19B, which is expected to add about 300,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to Mombasa’s annual container-handling capacity, and Dongo Kundu Berth One, which is expected to support industrial development and unlock investment opportunities along the Coast.
KPA Chief Executive Officer Capt. William K. Ruto said the Authority was investing in infrastructure, modern cargo-handling equipment and technology to improve efficiency and accommodate future growth in trade.
KPA General Manager for Corporate Services Edward Kamau speaks during the KPA Corporate Golf Tournament and Stakeholders Dinner at VetLab Sports Club in Nairobi on October 15, 2026./HANDOUTRuto attributed the increase in cargo volumes to sustained investment and operational improvements aimed at reducing vessel turnaround times and accelerating cargo movement.
Alongside the physical expansion, KPA is rolling out a modern Terminal Operating System and a Smart Gate System to improve cargo tracking, security, operational efficiency and customer experience.
The upgrades come as competition among regional ports intensifies, with shipping lines, importers and exporters increasingly weighing efficiency, turnaround times and logistics costs when choosing routes.
Ruto said Mombasa remained a key maritime gateway for Kenya and neighbouring countries, handling cargo destined for Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and parts of Tanzania.
“As trade volumes continue to grow across the region, our focus remains on providing reliable, efficient and cost-effective logistics solutions that support economic development and regional integration,” he said.
KPA is also positioning the Port of Lamu as a complementary gateway to strengthen Kenya’s role in regional trade.
With its deep-water capabilities and strategic location, Lamu is expected to support new shipping connections and trade opportunities through the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor Programme.
The corridor is intended to improve connectivity between Kenya and emerging markets, including Ethiopia and South Sudan, while opening additional routes for regional commerce.
Beyond infrastructure and technology, KPA said it was pursuing a Green Port agenda focused on environmental sustainability. The initiatives include mangrove restoration, energy-efficiency programmes, improved waste management and national tree-growing campaigns.
The Authority also donated essential commodities worth Sh500,000 to the Nairobi Children’s Rescue Centre to support vulnerable children.
Ruto said stakeholder engagement remained central to KPA’s business strategy, describing the nationwide golf circuit as an opportunity to strengthen relationships with customers, investors and industry partners.
“Supporting golf is not simply about sponsoring a sporting event; it is about strengthening relationships with the people and organisations that contribute to the growth of trade, logistics and the wider economy,” he said.
Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana, a keen golfer, commended KPA for supporting communities and nurturing sporting talent.
More than 250 golfers, corporate leaders and industry stakeholders attended the tournament, where Erick Kirimi emerged as the overall winner.
KPA’s expansion programme comes as Kenya seeks to strengthen its position as a regional logistics hub, with efficient maritime infrastructure critical to supporting trade and improving access to international markets.
