Mombasa: The newly elected officials of the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) have committed to collaborate with the government to curb the entry of illicit goods and facilitate the payment of customs duties to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Fredrick Oloo was unanimously elected as the KIFWA National Chairman, succeeding Roy Mwathi, who led the association for five years.
According to Kenya News Agency, KIFWA, as one of the main stakeholders in cargo clearing, boasts a membership of over 2,000. No cargo can leave the country's commercial ports without the involvement of Clearing Agents. The new leadership has vowed to end cargo delays at ports, improve cargo flow, enhance revenue collection by KRA, and reduce the cost of doing business in the country. Oloo cited the revenue report released last year by KRA, in which the Department of Border Control collected Sh791 billion through collaboration with Clearing Agents.
The 2023/2024 Revenue Report indicates that Customs Revenue recorded a 94.6 performance rate, with a 4.9 percent revenue growth compared to the 2022/2023 financial year. "Were it not for the support from these members, this could not have been achieved. If we have unsung heroes, they are the Custom Clearing Agents," stated Oloo. The chairman further asserted they would cooperate with the government to ensure their members are incorporated into the various boards involved in cargo clearance.
They also want Parliament to fast-track the Kenya Customs and Freight Forwarders Management bill to streamline the sector. Oloo decried that the sector has less than 15 percent of licensed companies, whose directors are women. "We want to persuade the government through the Commissioner of Customs and Border Control that through our collaboration, we ensure that more youths and women are given opportunities so that they earn a living through being Customs Agents," he stated.
The Chairman also promised to double efforts in the setting of minimum wages for workers and end exploitation by foreign shipping lines, which are taking over jobs meant for local people. He also pledged to ensure they form a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization for members to save their money. The Outgoing Chairman Roy Mwathi, who served for five years, advised the new leadership to focus on improving cargo clearance efficiency, enacting the proposed bill, and fostering harmony among industry stakeholders.