Re-launch
of the Kenya Shippers Council
The Kenya Shippers Council was re-launched as a cargo owners association
following an agreement between cargo owners and the Kenya International
Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA). The Council was first
formed in 2004 under advice and support from KIFWA with a mandate
to represent cargo owners' interests, with a view to facilitating
smooth flow of cargo in and out of the country and hence contributing
to reducing the cost of doing business in Kenya.
The Minister for Transport Hon. Chirau Ali Makwere, presided over
the event together with the Permanent Secretary, Gerrishon Ikiara.
Also in attendance was David Atteberry USAID/EA, and representatives
of Kenya Association of Manufacturers, KIFWA, TTCA and several
different Private Companies involved in shipment of goods by air,
land and sea.
Though originally launched in 2004, the Kenya Shippers Council
had become dormant. In November 2004, a meeting of interested parties
was convened under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Trade & Industry,
and sponsored by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM),
to initiate the transfer of control of the Council from KIFWA to
cargo owners. This was consistent with the stated goals of the
Council, to represent the interests of cargo owners.
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In 2005, USAID East Africa, through the ECA Hub and in collaboration
with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), sponsored the
development of a Reactivation and Restructuring Plan by an independent
consultant with a view to restore the financial and operational
viability of the Council on a more sustainable basis. KAM has been
spearheading the reactivation process on behalf of other shippers
(importers and exporters by sea, land and air). The reactivation
and restructuring plan was presented to a stakeholder conference
at the Serena Hotel on July 6, 2006, which endorsed it and established
the KSC Interim Executive Committee (IEC) with a mandate to take
over and drive the implementation process. The Hub extended its
technical assistance to subsequent activities of the Interim Executive
Committee. In this regard, the Hub supported a marketing campaign
to popularize the restructuring plan among business communities
and facilitated the preparation of the re-launch as well as the
Special General Meeting (SGM) that took place immediately after.
The SGM confirmed incumbent members of the IEC in their positions
for a period of 6 months or up to the next Annual General Meeting,
which ever is the earlier, and resolved that the IEC be expanded
by a maximum of three seats to accommodate associate members, who
until then were not represented. The SGM also resolved that the
legal status of the Council be amended from a society to a company
limited by guarantee. Changes to the relevant provisions of the
constitution were adopted to allow implementation of the above
resolutions.
Now, with the KSC being operational, it is expected that the interests
of shippers/cargo owners, be they importers or exporters, will
be represented and that the council will lobby government in order
to achieve change that will improve trade in the country, and ultimately,
the region.
All shippers (i.e. cargo owners who import and/or export by air,
sea or land) are eligible to become members of the council. Those
who provide services to shippers, including Clearing and Forwarding
agents, Transporters and Consultants are eligible to become associate
members.
Speeches:
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