MOMBASA, Kenya — The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has come under scrutiny over the estimated Sh8.3 billion cost of a 1.8-kilometre road project inside the Port of Mombasa.
The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure questioned the cost during an inspection of KPA facilities on Tuesday, September 22.
The committee, led by Ndia MP George Kariuki, sought an explanation of how the project reached its reported cost and whether the expenditure represents value for public money.
MPs Question Sh8.3 Billion Road Cost
Kariuki questioned KPA Acting Managing Director Fredrick Oyugi and Chief Engineer Nyaga, who is overseeing the port expansion project, over the road’s design, procurement and construction.
The committee sought details on the materials being used, contractors who expressed interest and the process through which the project was awarded.
“This question has been in the media. Yes, you handle heavy cargo, but the figure is suspicious. We want to know what special materials are being used on this road; we want to see the advertisement, how many contractors showed interest and who was awarded the contract,” Kariuki said.
The committee said it wanted to establish whether the reported expenditure was justified.
Committee Seeks Special Audit
Kariuki said the committee would seek a special audit of the project to establish the facts surrounding its cost.
“We have seen wastage of public resources in this country, and that is part of the reason we are here. You are spending Sh8 billion on a 1.8-kilometre road while our youth are suffering out there — it is unacceptable,” he said.
The committee chairman said MPs would pursue an audit to determine how the project was procured and whether the cost was supported by the project’s technical requirements.
The concerns raised by the committee do not, by themselves, establish that KPA has misused public funds. The proposed audit is expected to examine the project’s procurement, design and expenditure.
KPA Explains Purpose of Road
KPA officials told the committee that the road should not be viewed as a standalone 1.8-kilometre project but as part of the authority’s wider port master plan.
They said designs had been prepared to address safety concerns arising from the movement of heavy cargo and human traffic within the port.
“Honourable Members, we have had other priority areas despite receiving allocations since 2018. This road is part of our priorities; designs were done with the aim of averting accidents arising from port operations and human traffic,” the officials said.
They added that the road would link Terminal One and Terminal Two with the port’s gates.
Port Expansion Drives Infrastructure Demand
KPA officials also pointed to changes in global trade and increased demand for the Port of Mombasa as factors behind the need for additional infrastructure.
They said the authority had to invest in supporting infrastructure as port operations expanded and cargo volumes increased.
