NAIROBI, Kenya — Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has dismissed reports linking a Zimbabwean businessman and his company to the planned expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, insisting that the firm neither participated in the tender process nor has any role in the project.
Speaking amid growing public scrutiny over the multi-billion-shilling airport modernisation programme, Chirchir said the company named in media reports was not among the bidders and has no association with the procurement.
“The company referred to did not participate in this procurement process as a bidder and has no role, involvement, or association whatsoever with this project,” the Cabinet Secretary said.
He added that all firms participating in the tender were required to disclose members of their joint ventures through legally binding declarations and that the company cited in media reports was not listed in any submission.
“They also are not part and parcel of the contractors who submitted bids to this tender,” he said.
Cost Clarification
Chirchir also rejected reports that the airport expansion could cost between Sh375 billion and Sh385 billion, saying the figures were inaccurate.
According to the CS, the contract award is not expected to exceed Sh154.2 billion.
“The contract award for the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is not expected to exceed Sh154.2 billion, not the Sh375 billion figure cited in sections of the media,” he said.
The clarification comes amid heightened public interest in the future of Kenya’s busiest airport and concerns over the scale and financing of the planned upgrade.
Open International Tender
Chirchir said the procurement was conducted through an open international competitive bidding process that gave both local and foreign firms equal opportunity to participate.
He maintained that the process complied fully with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and underwent all required evaluations, approvals, and due diligence procedures.
“Throughout the planning and procurement process, the Government has remained committed to transparency and continuous public engagement,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary also criticised sections of the media over what he described as the publication of unverified information.
“Media houses owe Kenyans a higher duty of care not to intentionally or by carelessness misinform Kenyans,” he said.
Airport Capacity Under Pressure
The government argues that the expansion is necessary to address growing pressure on JKIA’s infrastructure as passenger and cargo volumes continue to rise.
According to Chirchir, the airport is increasingly operating under capacity constraints and requires significant investment to meet future demand while maintaining international standards of safety and efficiency.
The expansion programme is anchored in a long-term master plan aimed at transforming Kenya’s main gateway into a regional aviation hub.
Under the proposal, the existing terminal’s annual passenger handling capacity will increase from 7.5 million to 12 million passengers.
A new terminal will add capacity for a further 10 million passengers annually.
“This will increase the capacity of JKIA from the current 7.5 million passengers per year to 22 million,” Chirchir said.
Strategic National Investment
The project will include rehabilitation of existing terminals and airfield infrastructure, construction of a new terminal, expansion of aircraft aprons and taxiways, upgrades to utility networks, access roads and aviation systems, as well as other operational support facilities.
Chirchir described the programme as a strategic investment intended to strengthen Kenya’s position as East Africa’s leading aviation and logistics hub.
“The Government of Kenya remains firmly committed to transforming Jomo Kenyatta International Airport into a world-class aviation hub that will support our country’s economic growth, tourism, trade, and regional connectivity for decades to come,” he said.
