Posted on July 27, 2026
Kenya Ports Authority recorded a milestone following the attainment of two new international certifications that reinforce its commitment to environmental management and workplace safety across its port facilities.
The Authority was awarded ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management Systems and ISO 45001:2018 for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems.
The certifications affirm KPA’s adoption of globally recognized standards aimed at promoting sustainable operations, protecting the environment and enhancing the safety and wellbeing of employees and stakeholders.
Speaking during the presentation of the certificates in Mombasa, Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) Managing Director Esther Ngari said the achievement marked a significant milestone in KPA’s journey towards operational excellence and sustainable growth.
Ngari noted that KPA has maintained ISO 9001 certification since 2010, demonstrating more than a decade of commitment to quality management and customer-focused service delivery.
She said the Authority has consistently embraced internationally recognized best practices to deliver efficient, timely and reliable port and logistics services.
“Today’s certification to ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 therefore represents a natural progression in KPA’s excellence journey,” she said, adding that the Authority had 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 described the achievement as the hallmark of a world-class port authority and said KPA had established a benchmark for public sector excellence in Kenya and across the continent.
Ngari further noted that the Port of Mombasa serves as the gateway to East and Central Africa and that improvements in KPA’s systems have a positive impact on regional trade and logistics corridors serving countries including Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan and Burundi.
On his part, the Kenya Ports Authority Chief Executive Officer Capt. William Ruto said the certification crowns years of hard work, resilience and adaptation at the port.
He added that the recognition reflects Kpa’s transformation journey over more than a decade.
Capt. Ruto thanked KEBS for supporting the process and said the Authority was deeply honoured to receive the Environmental Management System and Occupational Health and Safety Management System certifications.
Ruto commended the adoption of ISO standards, saying they had transformed KPA’s operations by strengthening systems and discipline and enabling the port to respond more effectively to evolving 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 added.
The two leaders termed the certification as both a validation of past reforms and a platform for deeper progress for the gateway to East and Central Africa.
