President William Ruto has stated that the government will not privatize the port of Mombasa amid claims from a section of opposition leaders.

Speaking at the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA's) National Delegates Convention in Bomas, the Head of State took a swipe at those spreading the privatization rumours, instead saying that the state is looking to expand the facility.

Further, he said that the port has the capacity to even serve Kenya’s neighbours, boosting the country’s revenue collection.

“As we promised during the 2022 General Election campaigns, the Port of Mombasa will not be privatized. What we are looking at is expansion so that we serve countries like Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan. We will do this by involving the private sector so that we can increase the efficiency,” he said.

This follows claims by Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir that the national government is planning to sell the port to private investors.

“Leave Mombasa Port alone. Go and privatize Kenya Airways. They do not have good intentions. If they could sell the water in the ocean they would have already done it,” said Nassir in an address earlier