Shippers protest Kephis’ new container inspections, warn of delays and higher costs

Shipping firms and trade lobby groups have criticised the Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (Kephis) over its mandatory cargo container inspections, warning that the move will cause delays, increase costs, and undermine the competitiveness of the Mombasa port.

Kephis has implemented a full-scale inspection regime requiring all cargo containers, both loaded and empty, to undergo mandatory checks aimed at enhancing sanitation compliance for exports.

According to the agency, the inspections are intended to ensure that all containers used to transport agricultural and other regulated commodities meet cleanliness and suitability standards before being cleared for use.

To support the rollout, Kephis has deployed additional personnel and is targeting the inspection of up to 200 containers per day.

“Take note that all containers, both loaded and empty, used for export of agricultural and other regulated commodities must be cleaned at Kephis-approved depots and issued with a valid container cleanliness certificate. Containers that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted for clearance,” Kephis Managing Director Theophilus Mutui said in a notice dated May 28, 2025.

Cleaning and inspection

Under the new directive, traders and shippers are expected to send their containers to selected container freight stations (CFSs) for cleaning and inspection. Kephis has introduced an inspection fee structure of Sh2,000 per vessel and Sh500 per container, regardless of size.

The move, however, has stirred resistance from industry players who argue that the directive will disrupt operations at the Mombasa port, increase the cost of doing business, and undermine the port’s efficiency and competitiveness.

Shipping lines have already revised their charges to accommodate the new procedures. Diamond Shipping Services, in a client notice, announced additional fees effective June 1, 2025.

“Please note, effective June 1, 2025, a container inspection surcharge shall be applicable to all import and export containers as follows: $10 (Sh1,292.40) per container for all Kenyan local imports and export containers; $5 (Sh646.20) per container for all transit imports and exports via Mombasa,” reads the notice.

The Kenya Shipping Agents Association (KSAA), the Shippers Council of Eastern Africa (SCEA), and several traders have criticised the policy, arguing that the inspection process is redundant and could trigger operational gridlock.

International shipping protocols

KSAA Chief Executive Elijah Mbaru said the Kephis directive clashes with international shipping protocols and duplicates existing oversight roles already handled by port health officials.

“Kephis has no business to do with the inspection of ships; it’s a confidant of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and pegged in the cluster of MARPOL port state control under Kenya Maritime Authority,” Mbaru told the Nation.

“Shipping is regulated by international laws, and these inspections will only cause delays in the supply chain.”

SCEA CEO Agayo Ogambi echoed the concerns, warning that the added costs would be pushed down to consumers.

“Traders will raise their operating fees, which will be passed on to consumers to recover the new charges imposed by Kephis,” he said.

Ogambi urged the government to allocate more resources to key cargo clearance agencies and streamline operations to avoid duplication and inefficiency.

Despite the backlash, Kephis maintains that the inspection regime is crucial in safeguarding the integrity of agricultural exports and ensuring compliance with international phytosanitary standards.