•Busia and Malaba customs offices currently collect around Sh10 billion annually
•Challenges include power blackouts, lack of water and inadequate staffing
The Senate Trade committee has criticised the government for neglecting operations services at Malaba and Busia One Spot Border Point (OSBP), despite the significant revenue generated by the busy East African gateway.
Despite Malaba and Busia OSBPs generating over 10 billion annually, the two customs offices face with numerous challenges among them leaking roofs in the server rooms, regular power outage, water shortage, poor hygiene and understaffing.
The committee led by Busia senator Okiya Omutata, Kiambu senator Karung’o Wa Thang’wa and Crystal Asige, visited Malaba and Busia to ascertain how best the government can improve the operation efficiency to boost revenue collection.
“We are here on a fact finding mission to establish how best we can improve the operations at OSBPs to boost revenue collection from 10 billion to 15 billion per year.
The two entry points need urgent intervention and upgrade to match international standards,” said Thang’wa.
He said Malaba clears over 2,000 trucks on a daily basis and the introduction of smart gates will help address traffic snarl-ups.
"Malaba and Busia OSBPs being the gateway to East and Central Africa need modern solutions. Introduction of smart gates and more improved scanners will make trade efficient thus boosting trade circle,” he added.
Omutata said the government needs bilateral talks with Uganda to resolve the move that has seen Uganda opt to move its oil imports to Tanzania.
“The country is losing a significant amount of revenue due to inefficiencies caused by frequent power outages, insufficient staffing, staff shortages during lunchtime, and some trailers using informal routes. The commissioner general of Kenya Revenue Authority and Cabinet Secretary of Transport must visit Malaba to address the mess,” said the Busia Senator.
The area customs manager Gideon Chepkole said Malaba experiences power outages five times a day yet the backup generators cannot not cope with the services offered.
Cross Border women chairperson Mariam Babu challenged the committee to revisit the East Africa trade agreement, saying it had disadvantaged Kenyans while benefiting their counterparts from Uganda, Rwanda and Congo.