Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced that the Ksh154.2 billion Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) modernisation project officially commenced this week.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

He confirmed the project’s status after a July 3 meeting with officials from the State Department of Roads, including Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, during which they reviewed the project’s master plan.

“Modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport has commenced this week, at a cost of 155 billion shillings,” he said in a statement shared with Kenyans.co.ke .

Kindiki said he received a status update on the scope and expected milestones of the major development project, as well as ongoing development works across all 47 counties.

📌 What You Need to Know

The confirmation follows President William Ruto’s previous announcement that construction would begin in July.

On June 23, the ministry announced that it signed the JKIA design and build contract with China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), signalling the formal start of the project.

Chirchir previously gave a comprehensive outline of the project , explaining that it will be implemented in phases to be completed within three years.

The project entails upgrades to existing terminals and airfield infrastructure, as well as construction of a new passenger terminal, with the overall plan expected to increase JKIA’s capacity from 7.5 million to about 22 million passengers annually.

It comes against the backdrop of an ongoing court case in which the High Court certified as urgent a constitutional petition seeking to halt the project.

The petition has raised transparency concerns , including questions on the construction consortium involved, financing structure and reported links to a company associated with Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke