Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar has said the county government will soon start benefiting from Kenya Ports Authority's (KPA) revenue if the Inter-Governmental Committee report is tabled and approved.
Omar said that the county has to benefit from the billions being collected at the port annually.
The senator and other leaders from the county have in the past called for devolution of the port.
However, the national government has maintained that the port is a national asset and has to benefit the economy of the entire country and not Mombasa County alone.
Speaking during a meeting to review the county budget, Omar argued that the recommendations by the committee will boost the county in various ways.
“The committee has concluded the port is a national asset, which for me is sad. However, they have suggested there must be solid returns, in terms of pressure and obvious interruptions the port has on social, economic and political fabrics in the county,” Omar said.
He added: “In my assessment I have proposed 40 per cent, but we all know that figure will be brought down. However, it will be foolhardy to suggest 20 per cent, which will eventually brought down to 10 per cent,” said the senator.
The committee agreed that a certain percentage of revenue collected at the port should be channeled to the county government.