How PwC freeze casts shadow on Kenya infrastructure agenda

Kenya’s ambitious infrastructure programme faces fresh uncertainty following the temporary blacklisting of PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited (PwC Kenya) from World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) funded projects.

The 21-month ban comes at a critical time when the country is rolling out multi-billion-shilling investments in power, water, transport and urban development under donor-backed financing.

Under the sanction, PwC Kenya has been barred from bidding for new contracts financed by the World Bank and the AfDB until December 2027. However, ongoing projects involving the firm will continue uninterrupted.

The move effectively sidelines one of the government’s most influential advisory firms, whose footprint spans major public sector deals, including budget advisory, infrastructure planning and strategic transactions.

Economists warn the ban could shrink the pool of experienced consultants available for complex projects, potentially affecting delivery timelines and investor confidence.

“Such sanctions often create uncertainty and reduce confidence in ongoing and future projects,” said economist Ken Gichinga. “If not well addressed, it could result in fewer projects and significant economic costs.”

 Gichinga notes that while the government has been using the National Infrastructure Fund push, its structure remains unclear.

The World Bank has already committed billions of shillings to Kenya in the current financial year, funding projects across various sectors such as climate action, housing, digital economy and sanitation. Among them is the Sh19.3 billion Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLOCA) programme, a key pillar in climate resilience.

As at February 2026, the World Bank had approved Sh3.86 billion ($30 million) additional funding for the programme which is a partnership between the Government of Kenya, the World Bank, and the governments of Denmark and Sweden.

At the same time, the government is shifting towards an investment-led infrastructure model anchored on the National Infrastructure Fund, aimed at mobilising up to Sh5 trillion for development projects.

PwC Kenya has played a central role in shaping this agenda, providing advisory services to the National Treasury and contributing to the 2025/26 budget process. The firm has also been involved in high-profile transactions, including the Kenya Pipeline Company IPO and strategic advisory work for Kenya Electricity Generating Company.

The firm was a key member of the advisory consortium for the Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) Initial Public Offering (IPO), and for its role as the reporting accountant for the transaction, the firm was paid approximately Sh13.45 million.

Its exclusion from new donor-funded contracts now raises questions about continuity and capacity in executing upcoming infrastructure and energy projects.

The debarment follows findings of misconduct linked to a 2019 consultancy contract involving Ethiopian power utilities, where PwC affiliates were accused of misrepresenting expertise and improperly influencing procurement processes.

According to the World Bank’s Integrity Vice Presidency, the firms obtained confidential procurement information from project officials to improperly influence the award of a consultancy services contract in 2019 for the implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards for Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation.