Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has bagged two major international certifications, putting the Port of Mombasa on the global map for environmental care and workplace safety.
The authority was awarded the ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management Systems and the ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
The certificates were presented to KPA by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in Mombasa. KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari said this achievement shows KPA is serious about transforming into a world-class port authority.
She noted that KPA has held the ISO 9001 certification for quality management since 2010, so getting these new certifications is a natural next step in their journey towards excellence.
Ngari explained that KPA has moved beyond just focusing on quality. They are now taking a complete approach where protecting the environment and ensuring the safety and health of workers are treated as key strategic priorities.
She described this as the mark of a modern and globally competitive port, setting a standard that other public institutions in Kenya and across Africa can look up to.
KPA Managing Director William Ruto said the new certifications are the result of years of hard work to reform and modernise the port. He recalled that in the early 2000s, the port was struggling with rising cargo, old infrastructure, and growing safety and environmental risks.
Adopting ISO standards has helped strengthen systems, improve discipline, and make the port more responsive to changing demands.
Ruto also thanked KEBS for their support throughout the certification process. The new certifications are expected to bring real benefits, including more efficient cargo handling that could help keep import costs and consumer prices stable, better protection of the marine environment, and enhanced safety for the thousands of workers at the port every day.
The improvements at the Port of Mombasa are also great news for regional trade. The port serves as the main gateway for Kenya and neighbouring countries like Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Burundi.
Both KPA and KEBS say the certifications not only validate the reforms already made but also provide a strong foundation for continuous improvement in sustainability, workplace safety, and service delivery in the years to come.
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