KTA Grant Monthly report May 2013

The organization's core objective is to enhance the capacity of its members to sustain their operations. In May 2013, KTA undertook various activities aimed at achieving this objective. Advocacy was a key pillar of KTA's activities in May 2013. The organization hosted a visit from the Tanzania Truck Owners Association (TATOA) on May 17-18, 2013. The TATOA delegation, led by Vice Chairperson Mrs. Angelina Ngalula, shared experiences on the Northern and Central Corridors vis-a-vis the Southern Africa corridors. The visit aimed to push for a quicker resolution of impediments to trade, including unharmonized laws on customs procedures and vehicle load control, inefficient weighbridges, corruption, and arbitrary charges. KTA also participated in a clean-up exercise organized by the Mombasa county governor's office on May 18, 2013. The organization's members contributed resources, including tippers for garbage collection, drinking water, gloves, and gumboots. The exercise aimed to improve the environment and enhance living conditions in Mombasa County. In addition, KTA participated in a workshop organized by the Transit Transport Coordination Authority - Northern Corridor (TTCA-NC) on May 23, 2013. The workshop reviewed and validated the Road Transport Industry Survey Report and the second Transport Observatory Project (TOP) report. The reports provided critical information on volumes for international and intra-regional trade, time and uncertainties of the critical stages of the logistics chain, prices and costs, and infrastructure capacity and logistics services delivery. Institutional development and sustainability were also key areas of focus for KTA in May 2013. The East Africa Heavy Commercial Drivers Development Institute undertook a Commercial Driver Road Competence Driving Test for 16 drivers between May 30-31, 2013. The training was organized in conjunction with USAID-COMPETE and Total Kenya and was officiated by Total Kenya Executive Director Mr. Joseph Adewa. KTA also held a workshop on May 8, 2013, to review and validate the training curriculum developed for the East Africa Heavy Commercial Vehicle Driver Development Institute. The curriculum aimed to plug the training gaps identified in various local and regional Training Needs Assessment reports. The curriculum was designed to deliver training in three levels: basic skills, intermediate training, and advanced training. Member services were also a key area of focus for KTA in May 2013. The organization's secretariat visited the Mariakani weighbridge on May 21, 2013, following reports of a traffic snarl-up caused by protesting drivers. During the visit, the KTA team held a brief session with the drivers to establish the cause of the blockade and canvassed several issues, including discrimination by weighbridge attendants and unfair axle load requirements.