Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has announced that the government will embark on the construction of a new international airport to address long-standing infrastructure challenges, following delays in the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Speaking during a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Symposium in Nairobi on Monday, Chirchir revealed that the decision to build a new airport was informed by both infrastructural constraints and the need to position Kenya as a leading aviation hub in the region.
“We will shortly be relooking at the airport,” Chirchir said. “You appreciate that we don’t have an airport; our airport was destroyed sometime around 2013/2014.
Our attempts to build a new airport have faced challenges due to the democratic space we are in we have had so much debate.”
He added that the government will prioritize the project through public-private partnerships to ensure efficient delivery and sustainable investment.
“We are in the process of building a new one so that we truly become an anchor state that attracts visitors and gives them that good feeling of coming in through the airport,” he noted.
Adani Deal Cancellation and Shift in Strategy
The push for a new airport follows the cancellation of the controversial Adani Group deal that had been earmarked for upgrading JKIA.
President William Ruto, in his November 2024 State of the Nation address, ordered the termination of all agreements between the Kenyan government and India’s Adani Group, citing credible information and investigations around corruption.
“In the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” President Ruto said.
He instructed Transport CS Chirchir and Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi to cancel all Adani-linked PPP contracts, including those involving JKIA and the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
Government Infrastructure Plans Continue at JKIA
Despite the shift in focus toward constructing a new airport, the government continues with ongoing efforts to improve JKIA’s facilities.
In February 2025, the Cabinet approved key infrastructure upgrades, including enhancements to drainage systems, walkways, and water management to improve passenger comfort, particularly during heavy rains.
Additional improvements will include:
- Covered walkways
- Upgraded air conditioning systems
- Modern baggage handling technology
- Improved signage across the facility
In July, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) announced that it was developing Integrated Master Plans for both JKIA and Wilson Airport.
The initiative is supported by Dar Al Handasah Consultants (Shair and Partners) and Geodev (K) Ltd, who are undertaking a comprehensive Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) in line with the Environmental Management and Coordination Act, 1999.
The SESA process includes wide stakeholder consultations with neighboring communities and relevant organizations to ensure that environmental, social, and economic impacts are properly addressed.
A Vision for a New Aviation Hub
Echoing CS Chirchir’s sentiments, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi confirmed that replacing JKIA is a strategic priority.
He noted that the new airport project is among key infrastructure plans under consideration.
With the new airport on the horizon, the government aims to reassert Kenya’s status as a regional transportation powerhouse while addressing the limitations of its existing infrastructure.
The timeline, location, and estimated cost of the new facility are expected to be announced in the coming months.
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