The government has launched a major plan to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, aiming to transform it into a leading aviation and economic hub.
The government says the project is one of the largest infrastructure undertakings in recent years and will help Kenya manage growing air travel and cargo.
Investors interested in the project must show access to at least Ksh 100 billion in liquid funds. Only firms with this minimum financial capacity will be considered for the upgrade.
The expansion will happen in two main phases. Phase one will upgrade existing facilities while a new terminal is constructed. This includes reconfiguring and selectively expanding current terminals, building two rapid-exit taxiways, and adding a partial parallel taxiway to reduce runway congestion.
Phase two involves constructing a new terminal capable of handling an additional 10 million passengers annually. Supporting infrastructure will include aprons, new taxiways, upgraded air traffic control and firefighting systems, cargo and maintenance zones, and expanded access roads.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said the government has spent a year preparing the master plan.
“We have been working on this master plan for a year. With the documents now published, it is time to go. We want to give Kenya and the region the modern airport it deserves,” he said.
A major new component of the plan is the creation of an Airport City and a Special Economic Zone around JKIA. This will attract logistics firms, trade and manufacturing companies, e-commerce operations, light industry, and other businesses that benefit from proximity to a major passenger and cargo hub.
Chirchir also highlighted improved transport links, including commuter rail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) connections, to make access to the airport more efficient. He noted, however, that the timing for these connections has not been confirmed.
“When you talk about a master plan that has a runway of this size, all the supporting facilities, including the commuter rail system, are built into it,” he said.
JKIA currently handles about nine million passengers a year, above its designed capacity of 7.5 million. Passenger numbers are projected to rise to 22 million by 2045, with air cargo volumes more than doubling. Without expansion, the airport could lose competitiveness in the region.
The government aims to complete the new airport infrastructure within three years, while optimising existing facilities over 15 months to raise capacity to 12 million passengers during construction.
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