BY ANGELA R. KIURA
The National Treasury has launched a nationwide public participation exercise on proposed reforms to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) legal framework, seeking public views on draft regulations and amendments aimed at improving governance, accelerating project delivery, and attracting greater private sector investment in infrastructure.
Speaking during a public engagement forum at the Kenya School of Government in Embu, PPP Directorate Capacity Building Expert Kennedy Onyonyi said the exercise focuses on the proposed PPP General Regulations 2026, the PPP Project Management Regulations, and minor amendments to the Public Private Partnership Act, 2021.
Onyonyi said the consultations are a constitutional requirement designed to give Kenyans an opportunity to shape laws and regulations governing the planning, procurement and management of PPP projects while increasing public awareness of the role of partnerships between government and the private sector in national development.
He noted that the proposed amendments to the Act are largely technical, including the correction of drafting and typographical errors, but stressed that reviewing the accompanying regulations is essential because they provide detailed guidance on implementing the law.
He added that the regulations must be aligned with the revised 2021 Act to eliminate implementation gaps and strengthen transparency, accountability and integrity in project execution.
The public participation exercise is taking place across the country, with forums already held in Kisii, Eldoret and Nakuru, while other teams are engaging stakeholders in Kitui, Taita Taveta and Mombasa. Onyonyi said all submissions will be analysed and incorporated into the final draft regulations before they are presented for adoption.
Also addressing participants, Moses, an official from the PPP Directorate, said the draft regulations are intended to operationalize the PPP Act, 2021, which repealed the 2013 legislation. He said lessons learned during implementation of the current law informed the proposed reforms, which seek to simplify approval processes, improve efficiency and enhance the delivery of PPP projects.
Moses added that the reforms also align with the government’s broader infrastructure agenda, including the National Infrastructure Act and the establishment of the National Infrastructure Fund, initiatives aimed at addressing limited public finances by leveraging private sector investment.
He said the proposed legal changes will also harmonize the PPP framework with other government initiatives, including projects undertaken through state-owned enterprises, to create a more coordinated and efficient approach to infrastructure development.
The National Treasury expects feedback from the countrywide consultations to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework governing PPPs, improve accountability, enhance project management and accelerate the delivery of critical infrastructure while ensuring prudent use of public resources.
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