Government Unveils Plans for New Airport after Failed Adani-JKIA Deal: "We're in the Process"
- The government announced a major infrastructure project set to transform Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and strengthen the country’s global connectivity
- Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir explained the reasons for ambitious steps to modernise a critical facility
- The Cabinet secretary also outlined the reasons that have delayed the transformation of the national facility
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
The Kenya Kwanza government has hinted at plans to construct a new airport to replace the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Source: Twitter
Speaking at the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Symposium in Nairobi on Monday, Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the move aims to address long-standing infrastructural challenges and strengthen Kenya’s position as a regional aviation hub.
Why does the government want to build new airport?
Chirchir noted that the project will be implemented through PPPs, despite past setbacks, including the cancellation of the Adani deal for JKIA’s upgrade in November last year.
The new facility, he said, would help make Kenya a preferred gateway for travellers.
"We will shortly be relooking at the airport. Those of you who do come in do appreciate that we do not have an airport; our airport was burnt at some time around 2013/2014 and we have tried one or two times to build but because of our democratic space, we have had so much debate.
But we are making another go very shortly to build for you guys a new airport so that we really become that anchor state that basically attracts so that you feel good when you come in through the new airport.
The announcement came just days after the government unveiled plans to improve JKIA’s existing infrastructure, including runways, airside access roads, and the baggage handling system.
Why was the Adani-JKIA deal cancelled?
In November 2024, President William Ruto ordered the immediate termination of the Adani deals, including those with JKIA and KETRACO, citing corruption concerns and questions over the Indian firm’s integrity.
The move followed corruption-related charges filed in the United States against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, founder of the Adani Group.
Ruto stated that his administration would not advance any project linked to credible allegations of misconduct.
Source: Getty Images
Did Raila warn against Adani-JKIA deal cancellation?
ODM leader Raila Odinga criticised the cancellation of the JKIA expansion deal, calling it a politically driven setback that undermined Kenya’s regional competitiveness.
He noted the project, first initiated in 2012 under the Grand Coalition Government, faced repeated cancellations over the years.
The opposition leader warned that delays in upgrading the airport risk ceding Kenya’s aviation hub status to rivals like Ethiopia and Rwanda, which are rapidly expanding their infrastructure to dominate the continent’s air travel market.
Is government planning to hand over JKIA to new firm?
In other news, Adani whistleblower Nelson Amenya alleged that the government planned to hand over the airport to a Dubai-based company, suggesting the possibility of Adani’s involvement given Dubai’s status as a tax haven.
He claimed the deal would involve using Kenya’s balance sheet as a sovereign guarantee, describing the arrangement as criminal.
Amenya questioned why a company with sufficient funds and confidence in the airport’s profitability would require taxpayers to underwrite the investment.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
