Is Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Up For Sale?

Recently, there have been rumours circulating in social media platforms that Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is being sold to a foreign entity. However, the Kenyan government through its Prime Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi has firmly dismissed these allegations.

On Monday 22^nd July 2024, Mudavadi addressed these claims during his appearance before the Budget and Appropriations Committee at County Hall. In his remarks, he emphasized that there are no current plans to sell the airport. However, he went ahead to assert that there are extensive long-term plans to revamp and improve the airport.

“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. So anybody who is giving the impression that Jomo Kenyatta airport has been sold is not being factual,” Mudavadi noted.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary acknowledged that there is need for modernization which encompasses the construction of a new terminal. He noted that previous plans to build a new Greenfield Terminal were halted due to legal challenges that obstructed the contractual agreements. It is this development project that has been misunderstood for the airport being sold.

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“What we know that is important is that going forward, the Kenya Airports Authority must look at its investment programme very carefully, make sure that everything is transparent so that during the expansion process of the second terminal, if it’s under the PPP arrangement, let it be done properly, thoroughly through the legal process so that everybody knows what is going on,” he added.

Additionally, the prime CS highlighted the government's long-term strategy to establish Nairobi as a key logistics hub. This vision embraces integrating other cities in Kenya like Mombasa and Naivasha with operational centers at the airport.

“Logistics hubs that meet certain standards so that the United Nations can use this destination Kenya as a logistical hub for their operations just the way there is a logistics hub in Italy by the United Nations,” Mudavadi said.

Despite the rumors, Mudavadi reassured the public that JKIA is not up for sale, aiming to dispel any confusion surrounding the issue.

Mudavadi was speaking in his capacity as acting Treasury CS to discuss updates in the Supplementary Budget for 2024-25. He was appointed to this role by President William Ruto following the dismissal of the entire Cabinet on July 11^th 2024.

Even though Musalia Mudavi has made these clarifications, majority of the Kenyans especially the Gen Zs are not convinced. According to many people, these are lies since the current government has been caught in many instances lying.