Details of JKIA Fresh Upgrades After Cabinet Approval

President William Ruto chaired a Cabinet meeting at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, June 11, where a raft of approvals were reached. 

In a despatch, the Cabinet approved the upgrade of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to keep up with global aviation trends.

According to the Cabinet, the aviation ecosystem in Kenya was robust, but it was imperative to enhance the capacity of Kenya’s international airports to meet existing and projected demand.

"The meeting considered and approved the JKIA Medium Term Investment Plan that includes the upgrade of the passenger terminal, runway, taxiway, apron, and airside facilities in keeping with the global aviation trends," read part of the Cabinet despatch.

The Cabinet also approved the National Aviation Policy, which seeks to maximize the contribution of the aviation sector to Kenya’s growth by enhancing connectivity at both the national and international levels.

Further, the Cabinet approved the full transition from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to the Social Health Authority (SHA) beginning July 1, 2024.

According to the Cabinet, the Ministry of Health will lead a mass registration exercise commencing on June 21, 2024, across all 47 counties.

"Cabinet urged all Kenyans to register under the new scheme in our nation’s historic endeavour to usher Kenya into the league of nations with health coverage for all. Kenyans can register on phone, at all public hospitals and also by the 100,000 Community Health Promoters across the country," read the despatch.

The Cabinet also approved a proposed sale of the state's shareholding in six listed companies which include the East African Portland Cement Limited, Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Housing Finance Company of Kenya Limited, Stanbic Holdings (formerly CfC Stanbic Bank Limited), Liberty Kenya Holdings (formerly CfC Insurance Holdings) and Eveready East Africa PLC.

"The divestiture in the six companies, through the sale of shares at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, will optimise the contributions of these investments in the realisation of our national development aspirations," read the despatch.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved the payment of a KSh6.8 billion debt owed by coffee farmers.

It directed coffee co-operatives, saccos and other creditors to submit to the Ministry for Co-operatives the list of all farmers who owe them money within seven days.

"The meeting sanctioned the write-off of historical debts amounting to KSh6.8 billion owed by coffee farmers nationwide. To facilitate the settlement of the debts accrued by farmers, coffee co-operatives, saccos and other creditors are required to submit to the Ministry for Co-operatives, within seven days, the list of all farmers who owe them money and with all the supporting documents for verification and processing of payment," the Cabinet despatch further read.

The Cabinet disclosed that the new Kenya Planters Cooperative Union (KPCU) will undergo modernization in accordance with international best practices to bolster the coffee production value chain.

To advance the realization of Kenya's foreign policy objectives with climate change adaptation, the Cabinet approved the hosting of the Blueinvest Africa Forum in July 2024 and the World Congress of the International Union of Forest Research Organization (IUFRO) in August 2024.

The Cabinet will reconvene on Thursday, June 13, to receive and consider the highlights of the Financial Year 2024/25 Budget Policy Statement.