21/05/2026
Today, the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA), led by Chairman Mr. John Msafari and CEO Mr. Agayo Ogambi held a consultative meeting with the Director General of the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), Mr. James Keter, at the KNRA offices in Nairobi, to address the planned mandatory cargo screening that was set to take effect on May 1, 2026.
The engagement focused on the implementation's potential impact on trade facilitation, port operations, and regional competitiveness.
During the meeting, SCEA and member representatives from EABL, Scan Global, Menengai Oil Refineries Limited and Unilever Kenya Limited highlighted key concerns and presented practical recommendations.
Key Concerns Raised;
Short implementation timelines: The May 1, 2026, effective date leaves little room for industry preparation.
Lack of clarity: Ambiguity around payment procedures, verification processes, and associated fees.
Operational disruptions: The high risk of port congestion, traffic flow disruptions, and capacity constraints for full cargo screening.
Competitiveness: Negative impacts on transit cargo, perishable goods, and overall export competitiveness.
SCEA Recommendations,
Deferred implementation: Pause the rollout of the directive to allow for adequate preparedness.
Risk-based screening: Implement a targeted, risk-based approach rather than mandatory 100% screening.
Fee reduction: Consider reducing the proposed screening fee from KES 1000 to KES 200 per container.
Exemptions: Exempt transit cargo and exports from these charges.
Collaboration and benchmarking: Enhance cooperation between KNRA and the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), alongside continued benchmarking of global best practices.
Government & Stakeholder Support,
There is a recognized need for the Government of Kenya to acknowledge and fully support the critical security and safety role the KNRA performs.
The meeting agreed that there is a necessity to deeply engage transit member states on these developments.
SCEA remains committed to constructive engagement with KNRA and other stakeholders to ensure any framework protects national security while preserving trade efficiency.
Following this meeting, the implementation has been deferred to allow for adequate preparations, and a follow-up meeting is scheduled to take place in three weeks to evaluate progress, before implementation.
