Fears of significant cargo clearance delays are resurfacing at the Mombasa port as multiple State agencies, previously removed to boost efficiency, are returning and introducing new verification processes.

• The Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) announced mandatory screening for radioactive materials on all cargo entering or exiting Kenyan ports starting May 1, 2026.
• Stakeholders, including the Shipper Council for Eastern Africa, warn that the return of agencies like the KNRA, National Environment Management Authority, Kenya Plant Health Inspection Services (Kephis), and Anti-Counterfeits Authority reverses efficiency gains achieved in 2020.
• Previously, a reduction to only key agencies like the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs) reportedly cut clearance time from six days to approximately two days.