Mombasa: process versus vested interest?

Here’s a fascinating article from Port Strategy on the absurdly cumbersome concession process under way – or not – to appoint an operator for the second container terminal at the Kenyan gateway of Mombasa. It would not be out of place as plot device in a John Le Carre novel. After receiving funding for construction of the facility from Japan’s overseas development agency, JICA, the bid process has basically been a farce. APM Terminals, Bollore and ICTSI – all of which are some of the most experienced terminal bidders in the business – saw their bids rejected on grounds so spurious that they are now in the hands of the country’s Petition Tribunal. These appeals have repeatedly been so interfered with that the only conclusion is that there are powerful vested interests around that are determined to see the concession awarded to someone else.