Energy, irrigation projects top President Ruto's new PPP plans

Energy and irrigation projects top President William Ruto's list of ventures he is pursuing through public-private partnership deals.

Top of the list is the power transmission lines and substations sponsored by Africa 50, which is to be implemented by Ketraco.

The negotiations with the private party are underway and the proposed terms shall be tabled to the PPP committee for approval, the report reads.

The works involve the construction of 177km Loosuk-Lessos transmission line and the 84km Kisumu-Musaga line.

It includes associated infrastructure, including a new 400kV switch station at Loosuk, new substations 220/33kV at Kakamega and substation extensions at Lessos, Musaga and Kibos.

Several mega projects, including the Nairobi Expressway, are still under feasibility study and are likely to delay further.

Everstrong Capital, a US-based company, was identified to lead the works on the 419-km four-lane Nairobi- Mombasa Expressway.

Also under the feasibility stage is the planned establishment of cargo scanning services infrastructure across airports, borders and ports.

The project proposed by Parkison Clarke FZE involves the comprehensive enhancement of cargo scanning systems across all major ports and border entry points.

The firm is expected to install an Advanced Cargo Scanning Systems integrating cargo management, cargo tracking and risk systems.

Feasibility is also underway for the Galana Dam – which China Roads and Bridges Company has sought to build.

It has emerged that the National Irrigation Authority is at the tail end of striking a deal for the revamp of the Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme.

“The private party and the contracting agency are working on fulfilling conditions precedent to financial close,” the report reads.

The project, which attained commercial close in December last year, would be executed by a firm trading as Selu Limited.

It seeks to put 20,000 acres of the scheme under production with the aim of raising 720,000 bags of maize and 160,000 bags of soy bean annually for 30 years.

Negotiations are also already underway with a private party – trading as Utility Partners One LLP, for the proposed Sabaki water carrier project.

It includes the abstraction of 80,000 litres per day from the Baricho aquifer on the banks of Sabaki River in Kilifi county.

It would also entail the development of a water treatment and storage plant, sewerage treatment units and related sewer network within the zone.

“In February 2025, the project was granted approval to progress to contract negotiations,” the PPP directorate said.

NTSA has also reported progress in the deal entailing supply of smart driving licences and associated services.

It is emerging that the project’s risk assessment report was approved in June last year subject to the contractor fulfilling some specific conditions.

The report shows that NTSA seeks to directly source a contractor for the project entailing the supply, delivery and installation of a second-generation smart card-based driving license.

The government is looking for a private party to execute Stoni Athi Affordable Housing units and student hostels at the University of Nairobi.

Treasury says bids have been floated for a private sector investor to develop 4,000-bed capacity student hostels and operate the same for 30 years.

A transaction adviser trading as Crisil Limited has been identified to steer the project after the feasibility study was approved in February.

“The project was granted approval to progress to the procurement of private party,” the report reads, detailing that it would be procured through competitive bidding.

For the housing project in Stoni Athi, a new tender would be floated in the next quarter after none of the bidders passed the first stages when the same was first advertised.

The private player is to develop and sell 2,820 affordable housing units, cross-subsidised with 200 market-rate units in Athi River on National Housing Corporation land.

“The Request for Qualification was issued on November 26, 2024 and the RFQ closed on January 21, 2025. However, the tender was nonresponsive, and plans are underway to re-issue the tender.”

Also under feasibility review is the Londian Dam, Lamu water desalination plant, Maragua Dam and High Grand Falls Dam.

Studies on the Nairobi Smart Street Lighting project have also been concluded, the PPP directorate reveals.

Ellams Ltd has also yet to conclude a study on the proposed printing and supply of national examination papers and other related security printed materials.