Nairobi, April 18 -- Nyamakima traders say negotiations with authorities to relax import regulations, particularly rigid requirements for consolidated cargo, are bearing fruit as the government confronts grievances that cost the previous Uhuru Kenyatta administration political support.

Traders said meetings this week had made significant progress, particularly on the thorny issue of cargo belonging to different people being consolidated into one shipment - a cost-saving measure favoured by small-scale importers - and a status report is expected on Thursday.

The meetings are a follow-up to the March 28 and April 10 forums with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who brokered the deal for the release of 700 containers held at Mombasa port ...