Coast Region Hosts Public Participation on New PPP Infrastructure Law

The National Treasury has expanded its nationwide public consultation on the proposed revisions to Kenya's framework for private sector investment in infrastructure. A stakeholder forum convened in Kwale County to review upcoming legal amendments and regulations governing collaborative developmental projects.

The ongoing engagement focuses on the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) Amendment Bill of 2026. This legislative effort is accompanied by two key regulatory documents, including the draft Public Private Partnerships (General) Regulations of 2026 and the draft Public Private Partnerships (Project Management) Regulations of 2026.

During the coastal forum, Samuel Onyango, the Head of Finance and Administration at the Public Private Partnerships Directorate (PPPD), spoke on behalf of the Principal Secretary for Public Investments and Assets Management. He emphasized that gathering stakeholder input is a clear constitutional obligation under the Constitution of Kenya.

The representative noted that public consultation remains a cornerstone of inclusive policy development across the country. According to official statements, the ongoing legislative overhaul targets specific administrative gaps that were previously identified within the existing statutory structure.

The state aims to streamline project execution while ensuring that public assets yield maximum value through these collaborative ventures. By introducing clearer procedural guidelines, the ministry expects to improve project oversight and accelerate the delivery of crucial public infrastructure.

The legal review seeks to align regional frameworks with the foundational Public Private Partnerships Act of 2021. This alignment is intended to clarify the respective responsibilities of contracting authorities, national agencies, and external commercial entities involved in large-scale works.

National planners believe that robust joint ventures offer a viable mechanism to attract private capital, technical expertise, and operational innovation. These combined resources are deemed essential for upgrading national transport networks, energy installations, and municipal utilities amid modern fiscal constraints.

Daniel Iberi Nyakundi, the Diani Division Senior Assistant County Commissioner, represented the Kwale County Commissioner at the event. He urged local stakeholders and institutional representatives to participate actively in sharing practical knowledge to build awareness about these regulatory changes.

County administrations across the country have recently called for a more defined role within national joint venture committees. Local leaders argue that explicit subnational representation will help secure regional interests during complex negotiations involving public land and long-term asset leases.

The Treasury plans to gather views from multiple regions before submitting the finalized bill to the National Assembly (NA) for formal debate. This systematic collection of public feedback is designed to ensure that the eventual statutory framework remains realistic and legally sound.

As infrastructure demands grow, the balance between private investor confidence and public interest protection remains a central focus for policymakers. The current legislative process represents a deliberate effort to establish transparent, competitive bidding procedures for privately initiated development proposals.

State legal officers confirmed that the draft project management guidelines will introduce meticulous feasibility metrics for all proposed infrastructure contracts. These standardized benchmarks are expected to minimize commercial disputes and financial risks associated with complex multi-year infrastructure agreements.

The coast region public participation forum follows similar stakeholder engagements held in other parts of the country, including the lake region. The National Treasury plans to conclude this comprehensive civic exercise by the end of July before preparing final legislative briefs.