The European Union has called on the county government of Mombasa to explain how the region's economy has benefitted residents since the inception of devolution.
The EU expressed great concern over the increased cases of the graft at the port of Mombasa yet the wananchi are languishing in abject poverty.
Speaking during a delegation visit at the port, Swiss Ambassador Ralf Heckner asked the officials at the port to outline some of the measures that have come up with to reduce the cargo clearance period.
This comes barely weeks after the officials at the Port admitted that interference of documents processing, overstay of cargoes , offtake, space and cargo evacuation are among the greatest challenges hindering their performance.
“You are expanding the port, you are modernising the infrastructure, how will these things come together?” asked Heckner during a boardroom meeting at KPA, as quoted by the Star.
He also asked the members of the board to outline how the port has changed the lives of the Mombasa residents.
“What is the economic role of the port when it comes to Mombasa and the Coast?” he asked.
In defense, KPA corporate affairs general manager Edward Kamau said the port is in the process of building up capacity to take care of the demand which will reduce cargo clearance period.
“Ten years ago, it would take us 12 days to clear cargo, but now it’s only three days,” he said.