KPA boss Ruto defends Ksh.8.3B port road project, Ksh.400M helicopter procurement

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Capt. William Ruto has defended the authority's Ksh.8.3 billion port access infrastructure project, saying it is far more than a road and represents a major investment in improving operations at the Port of Mombasa.

Speaking amid scrutiny over the project's cost, Capt. Ruto said the works involve complex engineering beyond the construction of a road, insisting that the authority was getting value for money.

He explained that the project passes close to the Kenya Pipeline Company's oil terminal and storage facilities, necessitating the construction of a 265-metre retaining wall alongside the relocation of key utility infrastructure.

"It is not a road project alone, it involves a lot of things; it is an expressway from our headquarters to our new container terminal which is 1.7 kilometres. It involves wall retention, cutting and reclamation of the hill in Kipevu," he said.

"The road is passing close to the oil terminal and oil storage firms at KPC so you build a 265-metre retention wall, which is not easy. You also have the relocation of the power line which comes into the port, so you cut the hill, relocate the power line, the fibre cable, the water pipelines and the road because the one that comes to the region has two roundabouts."

Capt. Ruto dismissed criticism over the project's price tag, arguing that similar road projects elsewhere had cost comparable amounts despite involving fewer engineering works.

"If you do a background check, the other day there was a road launched, about 850 metres at a cost of Ksh.3.5 billion. Another one, which is just a road only, no drainage, electricity, wall retention or anything, but 400 metres was costing Ksh.3.5 billion," he said.

"Ours is 1.8 kilometres and so it is within the market price, if not cheaper, and we are getting value for money as KPA. The problem is because we are calling it a road instead of a major infrastructure in the port. Now we are happy the project is about 50 per cent complete."

The authority boss said the project includes the construction of a 1.8-kilometre road linking KPA headquarters to the new container terminal, with a significant portion designed as an elevated viaduct.

According to the project's site engineer, about 700 metres of the road will be constructed as a bridge to allow movement over existing developments.

"The project involves the construction of 1.8 kilometres of road and out of that, about 700 metres is a viaduct. We are putting a bridge that spans over a vast tract of land that has developments below," the engineer said.

Capt. Ruto also defended KPA's planned procurement of a Ksh.400 million helicopter, saying the acquisition is intended to enhance the authority's maritime surveillance, emergency response and operational efficiency.

He maintained that both the helicopter purchase and the port infrastructure project are strategic investments aimed at supporting the growth and competitiveness of the Port of Mombasa.