This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, vehicle importers in Kenya are facing a major challenge in delivering cars to their buyers. According to a letter sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Revenue and Regional Operations at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), vehicles imported through the port of Mombasa are stuck at container freight stations due to the cessation of movement order issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
On May 5, 2020, the importers, through the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA), urged the government to reclassify the clearing and forwarding of motor vehicles as an essential service. This, they argue, will enable the delivery of cars to their owners and save dealers from incurring unnecessary high storage charges.
“Motor vehicles imported through the port of Mombasa for both local and regional countries are stuck at various container freight stations,” the importers said in their letter.
The association is also lobbying for a waiver on all accrued warehouse rents and port storage charges resulting from the cessation of movement order. If not addressed, the delays will lead to congestion at the Port of Mombasa, which is already a COVID-19 hotspot.
