New JKIA-Adani Scare Forces Gov’t to Respond
The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has dismissed reports claiming that the government has secretly engaged the controversial Adani Group to undertake the modernisation and expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
In a statement issued on Tuesday, KAA explained that the privately initiated proposal previously linked to the Adani Group was formally cancelled, and there are currently no negotiations or discussions with the company or its affiliates regarding the airport project.
The authority emphasised that the JKIA modernisation and expansion programme remains a government-funded initiative to be implemented strictly in accordance with public procurement laws and established public-sector procedures.
KAA further stated that any reports suggesting secretive agreements or undisclosed engagements with the Adani Group were misleading and lacked a factual basis.
“The JKIA modernisation and expansion programme is a Government of Kenya-funded initiative and implemented in accordance with established public-sector policies and procedures,” KAA said in a statement signed by its acting CEO Mohamud Gedi.
Adding that, “The Authority remains committed to transparency and will continue to keep stakeholders and the public informed.“
This comes after it emerged that despite the planned modernisation set to begin in June this year, the government has yet to provide key details on the funding framework and tendering process for the rehabilitation works, which are expected to cost billions of shillings.
Even so, KAA reiterated that the ongoing infrastructure plans at JKIA are aimed at improving passenger experience and enhancing operational efficiency in line with Kenya’s aviation growth strategy.
The expansion and modernisation programme, which is expected to increase the airport’s capacity from 7.5 million to 12 million passengers annually, also includes the construction of a new terminal with a potential ultimate capacity of 15 million passengers per year.
The centrepiece of the project is an X-shaped passenger terminal, with the first phase designed to handle 10 million passengers.
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The terminal will feature four piers and a central processing hall to streamline the separation of domestic and international passenger flows.
A long-overdue 4.8-kilometre second runway is scheduled for completion by June 2027, allowing simultaneous take-offs and landings and eliminating the airport’s historic single-runway vulnerability that has previously caused full operational shutdowns during minor incidents.
The plan also includes the development of an Airport City concept, modelled on major global hubs, which will feature hotels, logistics parks, and commercial zones aimed at diversifying revenue streams beyond aviation-related charges.
Currently, JKIA handles about 8.6 million passengers annually, exceeding its original design capacity of 7.5 million, and continues to rely partly on temporary terminal facilities that have been in use since 2015.
New JKIA-Adani Scare Forces Gov’t to Respond
