The port of Mombasa recorded 10.6 percent growth in cargo handled during the January-September period this year compared to the same period last year, despite a prolonged electioneering period, officials said on Monday.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Catherine Mturi-Wairi said the port handled a total of 22.76 million tonnes of cargo compared with 20.57 million tonnes registered in the corresponding period in 2016, reflecting an increase of 2.19 million tonnes.

Mturi-Wairi said despite the political temperatures in the country, the port has remained steadfast in cargo handling.

According to the KPA MD, for the past nine months the rise in import cargo was driven by the increase in dry bulk commodities.

According to Mturi-Wairi, the export cargo rose slightly by 3.2 per cent during the same period.

“The marginal increase was mainly supported by coffee which increased by 37.7 percent and tea by 3.6 percent,” Mturi-Wairi said.

Transit cargo also increased from 5.98 million tonnes recorded in the first nine months of 2016 to 6.49 million tonnes in the first nine months of the year. Enditem

Source: Xinhua Net

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