Government Denies Controversial Firm Has Any Role In JKIA Tender

By Suleiman Mbatiah

The government has dismissed claims linking a controversial foreign firm to the ongoing procurement process for the modernization and expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), insisting that the company neither participated in the tender nor has any association with the project.

Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, the government said reports suggesting the firm’s involvement were false and risked misleading the public about one of the country’s largest infrastructure projects.

The clarification comes amid growing public scrutiny of the multi-billion-shilling modernization programme, which aims to expand JKIA’s passenger handling capacity and cement Kenya’s position as East Africa’s leading aviation hub.

“We wish to clarify that the company referred to in those reports did not participate in this procurement process as a bidder and has no role, involvement or association whatsoever with this project,” he said in a statement.

According to the government, all firms that submitted bids for the project were required to disclose their ownership structures and joint venture arrangements as part of the procurement process. Officials said none of the entities that submitted bids had any connection to the company named in recent media reports.

The government maintained that the procurement process has been conducted in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and all applicable regulations.

The statement noted that the evaluation process involved a comprehensive review of bids, statutory approvals and due diligence procedures before reaching the current stage of procurement.

Officials said transparency had been a key consideration throughout the planning and tendering phases of the project, which has attracted significant public interest because of its scale and strategic importance to the country’s economy.

The government also cited a series of stakeholder engagement forums held over the past several months, including consultations with Kenya Airports Authority staff, aviation workers, parliamentarians, disability rights representatives, media stakeholders and prospective bidders.

“The evaluation process entailed a comprehensive review and compliance with all statutory evaluation procedures, approvals and due diligence processes as per the requirement of public procurement laws,” the statement said.

The JKIA modernization project is expected to cost up to Sh154.2 billion and includes the rehabilitation of existing terminals and airfield infrastructure, construction of a new passenger terminal, expansion of access roads and utility networks, and development of other support facilities.

Once completed, the government projects that the airport’s passenger handling capacity will increase from the current 7.5 million passengers annually to 22 million.

The existing terminal is expected to be expanded to accommodate 12 million passengers annually, while a new terminal will have the capacity to handle an additional 10 million passengers each year.

The government argues that the investment is necessary to address growing passenger demand, improve operational efficiency and strengthen Kenya’s competitiveness against regional rivals that have invested heavily in airport infrastructure.

The statement further defended the project’s cost, describing it as a reasonable investment when compared with similar airport developments across the region.

At the same time, the government took issue with sections of the media over reports linking the unnamed company to the procurement process, urging journalists and members of the public to rely on official communication and verified information.

“We therefore urge the public to rely on official Government communication and verified information. In the same spirit we further caution the media against publishing such unverified information and invite them to retract their false reporting,” the statement said.

The government said it remains committed to delivering the project through a transparent, competitive and accountable process while ensuring value for taxpayers and safeguarding Kenya’s position as a regional aviation hub.