JKIA expansion crucial for Kenya's economic growth: Gov't

Kenya's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is set for a significant expansion to accommodate rising passenger and cargo traffic, the government has said. 

It added that currently, JKIA is handling 8.6 million passengers annually, well beyond its design capacity of 7.5 million, and that the number is projected to reach 32 million by 2054. 

"The existing infrastructure has surpassed its capacity and cannot support this projected growth," said Governmement Spokesman Isaac Mwaura.

The Sh260 billion ($2 billion) project aims to upgrade passenger terminals, expand runways, and modernise facilities. 

With fiscal constraints limiting the government's ability to fund the project, Kenya has adopted a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. 

"Expanding JKIA is crucial for sustaining economic growth and regional competitiveness," Dr Mwaura added.

The proposal from India’s Adani Airport Holdings, under review since March 2024, focuses on infrastructure investment, regional competitiveness, economic contributions, and social impact, ensuring job creation and local engagement.

"However, no agreement has been signed yet," he said on Wednesday.

Following the strike that was witnessed at the JKIA and other local airports in Kenya by its workers on Wednesday, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Davis Chirchir, Airport Workers Union, and COTU boss Fransis Atwoli announced that operations at JKIA and other airports would resume immediately.

However the Airport Union leaders emphasized that they had not yet accepted Adani even as they resume work.

The strike witnessed made a lot of flight delays and even forced other planes to land in the neighbourhood.