MOMBASA, Kenya — The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has pushed back against allegations of irregular procurement practices, asserting that recent media reports misrepresent the facts and unfairly cast doubt on the institution’s integrity.
In a statement released Saturday, KPA reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and adherence to procurement laws, saying it welcomes independent scrutiny from oversight agencies.
“The media reports do not reflect the facts or the operational standards of KPA,” the statement read. “Our procurement processes are governed by the Public Procurement and Disposal Act of 2015 and are routinely audited—both internally and externally.”
While not naming specific outlets or tenders under scrutiny, KPA claimed the documents referenced in the reports had been taken out of context, misinterpreted, or selectively cited in a way that could mislead the public.
Preliminary internal reviews, the authority said, found no wrongdoing, but to “demonstrate our unwavering commitment to due process,” KPA has proactively invited relevant oversight bodies to independently examine the matters raised.
The ports authority emphasized that its systems are designed to uphold integrity at every stage of its procurement cycle and encouraged stakeholders to seek clarification through official channels if needed.
“We remain open to constructive scrutiny,” said the statement signed by Acting Managing Director Capt. William Ruto. “Our goal is to maintain public trust and continuously improve our processes.”
The statement comes amid increasing public interest in how major state-run enterprises handle procurement, particularly in light of past scandals across the broader transport and infrastructure sectors.
KPA operates key port facilities in Kenya, including the Port of Mombasa—East Africa’s busiest seaport—which handles billions of shillings worth of trade annually.
