Atong Kuol Manyang, the Minister of Trade and Industry addressing business leaders on Friday, July 18, 2025 at the Ministry's premises - Photo credit: Ministry of Trade and Industry

South Sudan’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Atong Kuol Mayang, on Monday, 08-12-2025, met with key stakeholders to address disruptions at the Port of Mombasa caused by an alleged illegal fee imposed on containers destined for South Sudan.

The minister said goods had been stranded at the port after traders were asked to pay a $3,850 charge, which she said she later learned had been introduced by the Ministry of Transport without her ministry’s knowledge.

“The purpose of our meeting was to look into the real cause of the chaos that is happening at the Mombasa port regarding containers destined for South Sudan,” Atong told reporters after the meeting.

“Since the 17th, there have been many complaints from traders who were asked to pay $3,850. I heard the amount was later reduced, but according to the information we are getting, it is a fee introduced by the Ministry of Transport. As Minister of Trade, we haven’t received any official communication about it.”

The situation intensified on 28 November when clearing and forwarding agents handling South Sudan-bound cargo suspended operations. This followed the appearance of a new $3,580 fee in a memo circulated on social media—one the agents said was never discussed with them or channeled through official government procedures.

Eye Radio could not independently verify the memo. However, former KIFA chair Roi Mwanthi told Kenyan media that stakeholders were blindsided by the directive, which he said did not follow the proper communication channels.

Minister Atong warned that such unapproved charges have a cascading effect on the entire market chain.“Taxes are important because they enable the government to provide services,” she said.

“But they have to be legal. When illegal fees are added on top of legitimate taxes, it becomes too much for business people. To make a profit, they are forced to raise prices, and that increase affects consumers directly.”

She said the meeting sought to uncover the root causes of the disruptions and reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to protecting traders from unauthorized charges.