Prime Cabinet Secretary (PCS) Musalia Mudavadi assured Kenyans on Tuesday that the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is not for sale. Addressing concerns in the National Assembly, Mudavadi, who also serves as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs, clarified the government’s stance amid rumors about the airport’s operations being handed over to private investors.
Responding to the parliamentary inquiry, Mudavadi disclosed that while investors would be involved, their role would be under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) framework to construct a new terminal at JKIA.
“JKIA is not on sale. This is a public asset. 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,” he explained.
Emphasizing the need for modernization, Mudavadi dismissed claims suggesting the airport had been sold, calling them inaccurate. He highlighted the necessity of an uplift for JKIA, pointing out that previous attempts to build a green terminal were hampered by contractual and legal challenges.
“We need a new terminal. There was a green terminal project, but it never took off due to contractual issues,” he stated.
Mudavadi emphasized the importance of transparency in the Kenya Airports Authority’s (KAA) dealings with private investors to prevent past issues from recurring. He directed KAA to ensure that all PPP arrangements are conducted transparently and in accordance with legal procedures, keeping the public informed throughout the process.
“KAA must carefully examine its investment programs and ensure transparency during the expansion process of the second terminal,” he instructed.
The PCS’s remarks aim to reassure the public and emphasize the government’s commitment to upgrading JKIA while maintaining transparency and public trust.
Recent Comments