South Sudan secures 10 hectares of land for Dry Port in Kenya’s Naivasha
The land, located within the Naivasha Special Economic Zone near the Inland Container Depot, was formally handed over during a joint ceremony attended by officials from the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
By Aguok Chok
The government of South Sudan has secured 10 hectares of land in Naivasha, Kenya, for the construction of a dry port to serve the country’s import and transit cargo.
The land, located within the Naivasha Special Economic Zone and near the Inland Container Depot, was formally handed over during a joint ceremony attended by officials from the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The development marks an important milestone in regional cooperation aimed at easing long-standing congestion at the Port of Mombasa, which handles a significant share of South Sudan’s imports.
Speaking during a joint press conference, SSRA Commissioner General William Anyuon Kuol confirmed that the government had officially taken possession of the site.
“This place has been given to us (South Sudan) by the Government of Kenya. We want to assure the public, especially the people of South Sudan, that today we have managed to see the site and receive it officially,” Anyuon said.
Quick Cargo Processing
He explained that the land will immediately be developed into an inland container depot, commonly known as a dry port, which will allow cargo destined for South Sudan to be cleared closer to the country rather than waiting at the congested coastal port.
The facility is expected to significantly reduce cargo delays, lower storage costs, and improve cargo tracking and customs compliance.
“Within the shortest time, four to five months, we will make this dry port operational,” Anyuon said.
The Commissioner General noted that the project will provide major relief for South Sudanese traders who often face heavy financial losses due to prolonged cargo dwell times at the Port of Mombasa. Faster clearance and improved handling systems are also expected to help stabilize prices of imported goods by reducing transportation and storage costs.
Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga described the Naivasha Inland Container Depot as a strategic investment designed to move cargo away from the coast and into the hinterland, benefiting both Kenya and transit countries such as South Sudan.
He said congestion at the Port of Mombasa has recently increased due to a surge in cargo volumes, driven partly by regional political events and temporary disruptions along alternative transport corridors.
“Most recently, we had post-election periods in Tanzania and the recent elections in Uganda, where for a short time those particular markets were not open,” Wattanga explained.
“More cargo from Dar es Salaam was directed to Mombasa, and some cargo could not be evacuated to Uganda on time. These temporary disruptions have contributed to congestion.”
Wattanga added that inland container depots provide a long-term solution by allowing transit cargo to be processed inland rather than crowding coastal facilities. He said Kenya is working closely with the Kenya Ports Authority to accelerate cargo evacuation from the port.
For South Sudan, the new dry port represents more than infrastructure.
It is expected to protect traders from costly delays, improve government revenue collection through better customs systems, and strengthen the reliability of supply chains that support businesses and consumers across the country.
Once completed, the Naivasha facility is expected to become a key gateway for South Sudan’s international trade through the Northern Corridor.
Utilities
“Within the shortest time, four to five months, we will make this dry port operational,” SSRA Commissioner General William Anyuon Kuol said.
