Kenya Airports Authority Statement Over Leasing of JKIA

The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has clarified reports of the sale of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

In a statement on Wednesday, July 24, KAA acting Managing Director Henry Ogoye disclosed that it received a proposal from an Indian company after the cabinet approved the JKIA Medium Term Investment Plan.

He noted that Adani Airport Holdings Limited submitted the proposal to invest in the plan, which included the building of a new passenger terminal, a second runway and the refurbishment of existing facilities at the airport.

The acting KAA CEO, however, maintained that the proposal by the firm will be subject to technical, financial and legal reviews along with requisite due processes in compliance with the Public Private Partnerships Act 2021.

"The Project Agreement will be preceded by stakeholder engagement, National Treasury approval, Attorney General clearance, and Cabinet approval," Ogoye stated.

He affirmed that no jobs were at risk, adding that the expanded JKIA would create more business opportunities.

“I wish to assure our staff that no jobs are at risk. I also wish to assure the airport business community and operators that the expanded facility will create additional business opportunities and attendant benefits,” remarked Ogoye.

His remarks come after Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi maintained on July 23 that the JKIA was not on sale.

Appearing before a parliamentary committee, the Prime CS noted that the airport was a public asset and could only be sold after a public process that parliament endorses.

“Let me discount immediately that the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is not on sale. This is a public asset and it is a strategic asset. And if it was going to be sold, you can only do it after a full public process that parliament endorses,” Mudavadi stated.