Mombasa, Kenya — Senior Police Sector Commandants concluded a two-day workshop in Mombasa aimed at strengthening coordinated enforcement, enhancing road safety and facilitating safer and more efficient movement of cargo along the Northern Corridor.
The workshop brought together Police Sector Commandants responsible for the Mombasa–Busia/Malaba section of the Northern Corridor to exchange experiences, share operational insights and strengthen cooperation on the role of law enforcement in supporting the safe, secure and seamless movement of cargo.
The engagement provided a platform for participants to examine enforcement practices along the corridor and discuss practical measures to improve compliance with traffic and road safety regulations while minimising unnecessary disruptions to cargo movement.
Discussions addressed operational challenges that can contribute to delays along the corridor, including unnecessary stops, inconsistent enforcement practices and prolonged inspections. Participants underscored the importance of applying regulations consistently while ensuring that legitimate enforcement interventions do not unnecessarily impede the movement of goods.
The workshop also emphasised stronger coordination and information sharing among Police Sector Commandants along the route. Harmonising enforcement approaches was identified as important for improving predictability for transporters and supporting efficient cargo movement across different sections of the corridor.
Participants further highlighted the critical role of police in maintaining road safety and security while facilitating regional trade. Effective traffic management, consistent application of transport and road safety regulations, timely information sharing and closer collaboration with transporters and other stakeholders were recognised as key to reducing unnecessary delays and improving the reliability of the corridor.
As one of East and Central Africa’s major trade and transport routes, the Northern Corridor links the Port of Mombasa to Kenya and the landlocked Member States of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Efficient and predictable movement along the corridor is therefore essential to regional trade, competitiveness and economic integration.
The workshop reaffirmed the importance of continued cooperation among law enforcement agencies and other corridor stakeholders in addressing operational bottlenecks and creating a safer and more efficient transport environment.
Through strengthened coordination, harmonised enforcement practices and improved information sharing, Police Sector Commandants are expected to contribute to reducing unnecessary delays, enhancing road safety and supporting more predictable movement of cargo along the Northern Corridor.
The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Coordination Authority (NCTTCA) and its partners to improve transport efficiency, road safety and trade facilitation across the Northern Corridor.
Julien Astrida Nkurikiyinka.
