Says procurement has been done through an open competitive bidding process An artistic impression of the planned JKIA project/ HANDOUT The planned expansion and modernsation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is not expected to exceed Sh154.2 billion, the government now says.
This, as the Roads and Transport Ministry moves to defend the procurement process. Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Thursday, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the project is not merely the construction of a new passenger terminal but a comprehensive overhaul of the country's main airport, including rehabilitation of existing facilities, airfield upgrades and development of a new terminal complex.
"JKIA has served the nation well for many years, but much of its core infrastructure was developed decades ago and has only undergone incremental improvements despite sustained growth in passenger numbers, aircraft movements and cargo volumes," Chirchir said. The expansion is expected to increase JKIA's passenger handling capacity from the current 7.5 million passengers annually to 22 million.
This will be achieved through upgrading and expanding the existing terminals to handle 12 million passengers a year and constructing a new terminal with a capacity of 10 million passengers annually. According to the CS, the project is based on a comprehensive master plan and feasibility study commissioned by the government and undertaken by an international aviation infrastructure consultancy.
The study identified the long-term expansion strategy required to meet Kenya's aviation needs and support growth in tourism, trade and cargo operations. The modernisation programme comprises three major components. The first involves rehabilitation and resurfacing of the existing airfield, which is expected to take 15 months.
The second covers renovation and expansion of the current terminals over 18 months to raise capacity to 12 million passengers annually.