The Kenyan government has moved swiftly to address the widespread online rumors regarding the potential sale or leasing of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has categorically denied any plans to put the strategic public asset up for sale.
Speaking before the Budget and Appropriations Committee at County Hall, Mudavadi asserted, “This is a public asset, it is a strategic asset and if it was going to be sold, you can only do it after a full public process that Parliament endorses. So anybody who is giving the impression that Jomo Kenyatta airport has been sold is not being factual.”
The government’s clarification comes in response to the recent surge of claims on social media suggesting that JKIA had been leased to a foreign entity, purportedly for a 30-year period.
While dismissing the privatization rumors, the Prime Cabinet Secretary acknowledged the need for the airport to undergo modernization, including the construction of a new terminal.
He revealed that previous plans for a Greenfield Terminal were stalled due to legal challenges.
“What we know that is important is that going forward, the Kenya Airports Authority must look at its investment programme very carefully, make sure that everything is transparent so that during the expansion process of the second terminal, if it’s under the PPP arrangement, let it be done properly, thoroughly through the legal process so that everybody knows what is going on,” Mudavadi stated.
Mudavadi outlined the government’s long-term strategy to position Nairobi as a logistics hub, with plans to develop similar hubs in cities like Mombasa and Naivasha.
The aim is to establish Kenya as a desirable destination for the United Nations’ logistics operations, similar to the hub in Italy.
Mudavadi’s appearance before the Budget and Appropriations Committee was in his capacity as the acting Treasury Cabinet Secretary, following President William Ruto’s decision to dismiss his entire Cabinet on July 11.
Author: Mujuni Henry
JUNIITV
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