Nairobi, Kenya – Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has defended the government’s decision to seek a foreign investor to modernize Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Chirchir attributed the need for external funding to Kenya’s financial constraints in upgrading the aging facility.
JKIA, which has been in operation for over three decades, requires significant modernization to accommodate the growing number of flights and passengers. The current facility has fallen short of meeting the demands of its users, as evidenced by recent issues like roof leaks during the El Niño rains.
“We do all agree that we need a new airport, a new investment, a facility that can boost our dimension and receive up to four million visitors like in other developing countries,” Chirchir stated.
The government has already engaged the Indian Adani Group to redevelop JKIA, a move that has sparked protests from Kenyans and aviation workers. Despite the opposition, Chirchir emphasized the legality of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, which allows the government to partner with private investors on infrastructure projects.
Chirchir explained that the Adani Group’s proposal is a Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP), which undergoes rigorous negotiation before being approved. The government focuses on ensuring a favorable debt-equity ratio to minimize the financial burden.
JKIA’s passenger traffic has surged from 2.5 million to over 6.5 million per year, while aircraft movements have increased to 72,700 annually. Projections indicate further growth to 195,000 aircraft movements by 2030.
