Corruption accusations threat to expansion at Mombasa port

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Kenya’s major East African container gateway is currently undergoing a bidding process to select a terminal operator for its second box facility. The expansion project has largely been funded out of Japan’s international aid budget and the sponsor appears unhappy at the chaotic way the tender is being managed, with accusations of vested interests and corruption flying around Kenyan shipping circles. They largely centre over last-minute changes to the tender by the country’s treasury. This a long and detailed story from local paper The Star which illustrates some of the problems in the concession of container terminals in developing countries.