The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Committee has approved feasibility studies for several major port infrastructure projects in Mombasa and Lamu.
In a statement on Thursday, August 27, Director General of the Directorate of Public-Private Partnerships Kefa Seda said the approval covers Mombasa Berths 11–14, Mombasa Container Terminal 1, Lamu Container Terminal and the Lamu Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
"Yesterday marked an important progression in Kenya’s port infrastructure investment program, following the PPP Committee’s approval of the feasibility studies for Mombasa Berths 11-14, Mombasa Container Terminal 1, Lamu Container Terminal, and the Lamu Special Economic Zone.
"The approval moves these strategic port assets from feasibility into the procurement stage under the PPP framework," the statement read.
Seda said the government’s plan is to gradually transform the Ports of Mombasa and Lamu into a landlord-port model, which would see private investors provide capital, technical expertise and operational capacity while the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) maintains ownership and strategic oversight.
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"The broader strategic objective is to progressively transition the Ports of Mombasa and Lamu toward a landlord-port model, leveraging private sector capital, technical expertise, and operational capacity while KPA retains public ownership and strategic oversight of the port assets.
"Phase 1 provides for three transactions: separate concessions for Mombasa Berths 11–14 and Container Terminal 1, and an integrated Lamu Container Terminal–SEZ concession," the statement added.
According to Seda, the approval will enable KPA to proceed with competitive procurement for the first phase of the transactions, with engagement with potential investors expected to begin in September 2026.
At the same time, feasibility studies for a second phase of port assets are ongoing.
"With this approval, KPA can advance the Phase 1 transactions to competitive procurement, with market engagement scheduled to commence in September 2026.
"In parallel, feasibility work on the second phase of port assets is underway, sustaining the momentum toward a broader pipeline of bankable port infrastructure opportunities," the statement further read.
Seda added that the procurement process will involve public disclosure and consultation with stakeholders as required under Kenya’s PPP laws.
"The procurement process will be accompanied by the requisite public disclosures and stakeholder engagement in accordance with the PPP legal framework," the statement concluded.
Elsewhere, motorists using the planned Rironi-Naivasha-Gilgil (A8) Road and the Rironi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha (A8 South) Road will pay a toll of Ksh8 per kilometre under a new PPP agreement approved by the government.
The disclosure was made by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) in a notice on Tuesday, June 23, announcing the execution of a project agreement for the construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the two roads.
"The Project will operate as a toll road. Applicable toll tariff is Ksh8.00 and any future adjustments shall be implemented in accordance with the Project Agreement and applicable Government approvals and regulatory requirements," the notice read.
The project covers approximately 81 kilometres of the A8 Road and 58 kilometres of the A8 South Road, bringing the total length to about 139 kilometres.
KeNHA noted that after evaluation and feasibility studies, the proposal was approved through the PPP process.
"The PPP Committee delivered its decision during its 56th Ordinary meeting held on 25th November, 2025 to the effect that the Committee: Approved the Project and Financial Risk Assessment Report and the execution of a Project Agreement between the Contracting Authority and the CRBC-NSSF Consortium pursuant to section 59 (2) of the PPP Act, Cap 430," the notice added.
The disclosure indicated that the project will be implemented under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain and Transfer Public-Private Partnership model.
Under the arrangement, the consortium will finance, construct, operate and maintain the roads before eventually transferring the assets back to KeNHA at the end of the concession period.
KeNHA further revealed that the project will run for 30 years.
"Thirty (30) years, inclusive of the design, construction, operation and maintenance period, after which the Project assets will be transferred to KeNHA in accordance with the Project Agreement," the notice further read.
