Japanese marginalised at Mombasa

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is funding 70% of the project, with the balance provided by the government.

However, government officials and other stakeholders are said to be trying to force JICA out. This is denied by the port authority, which is particularly keen to see a second container terminal built, for which three Japanese companies have already been shortlisted.

Local press suggests that the Japanese are unpopular because they do not wish to bribe their way into the project.

In the meantime, Kenya Ports Authority managing director Gichiri Ndua has admitted that operations at the port are being adversely affected by the poor road and rail network and by an increasingly intermittent electricity supply.