NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 4 – The government will only accept bidders with a minimum capital base of Sh100 billion for the proposed upgrade of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
According to tender documents titled “The Proposed Design, Development and Modernization of JKIA” issued by the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace, interested firms must demonstrate access to at least Sh100 billion in cash flow.
The funds should not be tied to real assets, lines of credit or other financial instruments within the last six months.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir on Tuesday unveiled plans to construct a new passenger terminal capable of handling an additional 10 million passengers annually. The project also includes upgrading the taxiway system and developing new taxiways, aprons and aircraft support facilities.
Other components of the modernization plan include upgrades to air traffic control systems, firefighting stations, cargo, maintenance, fuel and utility facilities. The project will also improve landside access roads to ease congestion and develop parking facilities to serve the new passenger terminal.
“The airport operates with a single runway and a terminal complex that has evolved incrementally over time, resulting in space and circulation constraints. Comprehensive traffic forecasting was undertaken to assess the sustained long-term growth in passenger, aircraft and cargo traffic,” Chirchir said.
He noted that passenger numbers are projected to rise from 8.93 million in 2025 to about 22.31 million by 2045, representing an overall growth rate of 4.6 percent. Air cargo volumes are expected to increase from 407,214 tonnes in 2025 to 860,400 tonnes by 2045.
Last month, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) terminated a Sh238 billion airport renovation agreement with Adani Group.
In November 2024, President William Ruto suspended the deal following public uproar after allegations of corruption and bribery involving the Adani Group in the United States.
“KAA intends to develop an Airport City and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to position JKIA as a fully integrated aviation-led economic hub of national and regional significance,” Chirchir added.
“The Airport City and SEZ will maximise the economic value of the airport beyond aeronautical operations by attracting logistics, trade, manufacturing, business and service-oriented activities that benefit from direct proximity to air transport.”
