By Mandere Onyinkwa
The National Police Service has warned officers against causing unnecessary delays along key transport routes as the government intensifies efforts to eliminate Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) on the Northern Corridor Transit Route.
This came during a high-level sensitisation forum held Tuesday at the National Police Leadership Academy, bringing together security agencies, government departments, and players in the transport and logistics sector.
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Deputy Inspector General (Kenya Police Service) Eliud Lagat, who represented Inspector General Douglas Kanja, said the Service is tightening enforcement standards to enhance efficiency and professionalism along the corridor.
“We must ensure enforcement is efficient, lawful and time-conscious. Any officer found causing unnecessary delays will face disciplinary action,” Lagat said.
“Our role is to promote safety, efficiency and compliance among all road users while working closely with stakeholders.”
Lagat identified several persistent challenges affecting the transport sector, including excessive checkpoints, road accidents, inspection delays, cargo theft and diversion, as well as failures in ICT systems.
The forum was led by Caroline W. Karugu, Principal Secretary in the State Department for East African Community Affairs, who underscored the economic significance of the corridor.
“The Northern Corridor remains the economic spine of Kenya and a critical lifeline for landlocked countries within the East African Community,” she said.
“We must enhance collaboration to minimise non-tariff barriers while maintaining strong security standards.”
Karugu called for urgent measures to address operational and resource gaps, strengthen security to curb cargo theft, and restore the corridor’s competitiveness as a reliable trade route.
The engagement brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including the National Intelligence Service Joint Intelligence Centre, Kenya Ports Authority, as well as State Departments for Internal Security and External Trade.
Also present were industry groups such as the Long Distance Drivers and Conductors Association, Kenya Transporters Association, Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association and the Kenya Long Distance Truck Drivers and Allied Workers Union.
Officials said the multi-agency forum reflects growing recognition of the need for coordinated interventions to facilitate trade, improve compliance, and ensure the smooth movement of goods along the corridor.
Also in attendance were Commandant of Traffic Fredrick Ochieng, Commandant of the National Police Leadership Academy Mathiu Kainga, and Director of Northern Corridor Development Paul Gitau, alongside other senior officers.
