NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 19 – The National Treasury has launched a Public Private Partnerships (PPP) projects disclosure portal that will see the government disclose deals signed in the country.
The disclosure framework adopted will see the government now reveal key information data on projects during identification and preparation, procurement phase, at the point of contract signing, as well as during construction and operation.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich says the development comes at a time when the government has rolled out an ambitious pipeline of infrastructure projects, which it hopes to undertake in conjunction with the private sector.
“The partnership with the private sector will be key in supporting the four key strategic areas – manufacturing, housing, universal health and food security – that the government has identified to drive economic growth, under the Big 4 plan,” he added.
Currently, Kenya has a PPP project pipeline of over 70 projects at various stages of implementation in transport, housing, energy, water, health, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and tourism sectors, drawn from both National and County Governments.
“As we partner more with the private sector in modernizing the country’s infrastructure, we are keen to enhance openness and transparency in all contracts signed. This will ensure Kenyans are well aware of the expected level of services, key commercial terms in all signed contracts, and obligations on both sides,” said Rotich.
World Bank Country Director Diarietou Gaye hailed the move as one that will improve citizen’s support of the government infrastructure agenda and ensure quality contracts are entered into.
“This proactive disclosure by Kenya is highly commendable. It will undoubtedly result in better projects that will deliver value to Kenyans and also enhance the overall credibility of Kenya’s PPP program in the eyes of her citizens, investors as well as development partners,” said Gaye.
Some of the projects in the pipeline under the Public-Private Partnerships include the proposed 2nd Nyali Bridge connecting the Mombasa Island with the North mainland to ease congestion on the existing Nyali Bridge, The 485 km Mombasa-Nairobi Highway (A109), which forms part of the longer Trans-African Highway (Northern Corridor), Nairobi – Nakuru – Mau Summit Highway and Kisumu Sea Port among others.