The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has dismissed claims that it plans to sell the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to an Indian-based multinational conglomerate. Instead, the Authority has clarified that it has reached a public-private partnership with the company to upgrade the airport's infrastructure.
According to KAA, the ageing infrastructure of JKIA poses a threat to the country's regional competitiveness and requires significant investment to modernize. The deal will involve the construction of a new passenger terminal, establishment of a second runway, and refurbishment of existing facilities.
The Authority assured that the agreement will not lead to job losses and will instead create additional business opportunities and benefits for airport operators. The proposal submitted by the company will undergo technical, financial, and legal reviews to ensure compliance with the Public-Private Partnerships Act 2021.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also refuted allegations of a potential sale, stating that JKIA is a strategic national asset that can only be sold after a full public process endorsed by Parliament. The CS revealed that the investors will work under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to construct a new terminal at the airport.
The clarification comes amid concerns over the future of JKIA, which has been plagued by delays and challenges in its development. The new terminal was previously planned but never took off due to contractual issues.
You may also like
Category: News
Related Explainer: EXPLAINER: Why Kenya’s aviation workers are striking — and what travellers need to know
Facebook
Twitter / X
WhatsApp
LinkedIn
Telegram
Reddit