Treasury Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo informed Members of Parliament on Monday, December 2, that the government is committed to pursuing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Speaking before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Kiptoo emphasized that the government will explore options to identify an investor offering the best value for the project following the cancellation of the controversial Adani Group deal.
“The only viable way to finance this is through a public-private partnership (PPP) model. Since Kenyans have rejected the Adani Group, we will need to identify a partner with better ideas and options to execute the project—not necessarily Adani,” Kiptoo explained.
The PS underscored the financial constraints facing the government, stating that a PPP model remains the most feasible approach for funding the airport’s upgrade. He highlighted the urgent need to modernize JKIA, citing the facility’s current passenger volume, which exceeds its original capacity.
“When JKIA was built and designed, it was meant to handle about 5–7 million passengers. Today, as the East African hub, it is handling in excess of 10 million passengers,” Kiptoo noted.
“It is in dire need of upgrading and modernization to accommodate these numbers and maintain its status as a regional hub.”
While supporting the idea of a PPP model, MPs cautioned the government against secrecy in the deal-making process. Chepalungu MP Victor Koech called for transparency and public involvement to ensure the deal benefits the country.
“If executed properly, PPPs can play a transformative role in advancing Kenya’s infrastructure agenda without overburdening taxpayers. However, success hinges on transparency, accountability, and meaningful public engagement at every stage of the process,” Koech remarked.
The Adani Group’s involvement in the JKIA project was canceled by President William Ruto after the company’s chairman, Gautam Adani, faced fraud charges in the United States and bribery allegations in India. The deal had been widely criticized by Kenyans, prompting its termination alongside another Adani-led project with the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO).
The government now faces the challenge of finding a suitable investor to spearhead the modernization of JKIA, balancing the need for development with public trust and fiscal responsibility.
