Senators call for expansion of Busia One-Stop Border Post

Senators holding a meeting with the stakeholders at the Busia One-Stop Border Point, October 8, 2025. /KNA

The Senate Committee on Trade has called for the expansion and modernization of the Busia One-Stop Border Post to ease congestion and enhance cross-border trade between Kenya and Uganda.

Speaking after an inspection tour of the facility on Wednesday, the committee chairperson, Kwale Senator Issa Boy Juma, said the visit offered senators firsthand insight into the challenges faced by traders and transporters at the border point.

“We have met stakeholders and users of the border point, and they are complaining about bad roads and harassment from our neighbour’s side,” Juma said.

“We cannot have smooth business when we have shallow, congested roads. We must expand them because the long queues here slow down business.”

Juma emphasised the need for a modern parking yard capable of accommodating more trailers than the current facility, which holds only 40 trucks.

“We have been informed by KRA that land is available, and we will ensure a modern yard is constructed to provide adequate parking. We will also look into improving the health departments at the border to strengthen pandemic preparedness,” he added.

Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago urged the Busia County Government to fast-track completion of the planned trailer park to help boost local revenue collection.

“The County Government should finish the trailer park so they can generate their own income. Border counties handle international trade and must adhere to the East African Community tax agreements. Our country benefits the most from the business conducted here,” Mandago said.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargey echoed the call for infrastructure upgrades, saying poor facilities were undermining efficiency.

“The parking area holds only 40 trucks, and clearance takes up to 30 minutes, which is unacceptable. There are over 22 agencies operating here, leading to delays that impede free trade in Africa. We also expect improvement in disease surveillance and control,” he said.

Cherargey further proposed the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline clearance and scanning processes.

“Both sides should embrace AI scanning to avoid long queues caused by scanner downtime. We also need to expand the parking lot and set up rest areas for truck drivers,” he said.

He also raised concern over conflicting reports on parking fee collections at the border.

“I have evidence that trucks are being charged parking fees—some as high as Sh1,500—yet the County Government claims it does not collect any charges. We must harmonize this and ensure all border points, including Mulwanda, are operationalized to improve efficiency,” Cherargey said.

Busia Clearing and Forwarding Association chairman Joseph Okhanga urged swift action to expand the customs area.

“We need an immediate expansion of the customs section to create more space. All vehicles entering and exiting the country are charged by the County Government, so completing the trailer park will enable more efficient revenue collection,” he said.

The Senate Committee is in Busia for a week-long session under the Senate Mashinani programme, which involves holding plenary sittings and inspecting key government projects in the counties.