The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has earned two internationally recognised certifications for environmental management and occupational health and safety.
The authority was awarded the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental
Management Systems certification and the ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and
Safety Management Systems certification, marking a major milestone in its
efforts to align port operations with global best practices.
The certifications, presented in Mombasa by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), recognise KPA's commitment to sustainable operations, environmental protection and the safety and wellbeing of employees, port users and other stakeholders.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony, KEBS Managing Director Esther Ngari said the achievement reflected KPA's continued transformation into a world-class port authority.
She said KPA has maintained ISO 9001 certification for quality management since 2010, demonstrating more than a decade of commitment to efficient service delivery and customer satisfaction.
"Today's certification to ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 therefore represents a natural progression in KPA's excellence journey," Ngari said.
She said the authority had moved beyond quality management to embrace an integrated approach where environmental stewardship and occupational health and safety are embedded in its core operations.
"KPA has evolved from focusing on quality management to embracing an integrated approach where quality, environmental stewardship and occupational health and safety are managed as strategic priorities," she said.
Ngari described the achievement as the hallmark of a modern and globally competitive port, saying it sets a benchmark for public sector institutions in Kenya and across Africa.
She noted that improvements at the Port of Mombasa would have far-reaching benefits for regional trade, given the facility serves as the main gateway for Kenya and neighbouring countries including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and Kenya Ports Authority staff during presentation of ISO certifications in Mombasa/HANDOUT
Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director William Ruto said the certifications crown years of reforms aimed at modernising the port and improving operational efficiency.
He described the recognition as an affirmation of KPA's transformation journey and thanked KEBS for supporting the certification process.
"We are deeply honoured to receive the Environmental Management System and Occupational Health and Safety Management System certifications," Ruto said.
He said adopting ISO standards had fundamentally changed the way the authority operates by strengthening systems, improving discipline and enabling the port to respond more effectively to changing operational demands.
"The reforms we are witnessing were driven by the realities KPA faced in the early 2000s, when rising cargo volumes, outdated infrastructure, manual processes and growing safety and environmental risks threatened the port's ability to evolve into a more resilient and globally competitive maritime gateway," he said.
The new certifications come as KPA continues implementing reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, expanding cargo handling capacity and positioning the Port of Mombasa as a competitive logistics hub for East and Central Africa.
Both KPA and KEBS said the certifications not only validate
the authority's past reforms but also provide a foundation for continuous
improvement as it seeks to strengthen sustainability, workplace safety and
service delivery in the years ahead.
