The government has formally awarded the contract for the redevelopment of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), setting the stage for a Ksh154 billion expansion project despite an ongoing legal dispute over the initiative.
The agreement was signed on June 23 by Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika and CRBC General Manager Yu Xiaodong, with Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir describing the project as a key investment in the country’s transport infrastructure.
The development comes at a time when the proposed airport overhaul is facing scrutiny in court. A petition filed by the Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) is seeking to stop the project, citing concerns over the procurement process, public involvement, and overall transparency in the implementation of the plan.
The High Court recently classified the matter as urgent, directing all parties involved to submit their responses ahead of a scheduled hearing. Justice Gregory Mutai noted that the issues raised in the petition carry significant public interest and warrant prompt consideration.
Even as the legal proceedings continue, government officials maintain that the expansion is critical to the future of Kenya’s aviation sector. According to Chirchir, the project is expected to increase the airport’s operational capacity, upgrade safety infrastructure, improve passenger and cargo handling services, and reinforce JKIA’s role as a leading aviation gateway in the region.
Once completed, the modernisation programme is expected to transform the country’s main airport and support growing demand for air travel and trade across East Africa.
