Gov't denies awarding JKIA modernisation tender, says procurement still ongoing

Addressing concerns raised by recent media reports, Chirchir said the company mentioned had not participated in the tender and has no connection to the multi-billion-shilling project.

“We wish to clarify that the company referred to in those reports did not participate in this procurement process as a bidder and has no role, involvement or association whatsoever with this project. They also are not part and parcel of the contractors who submitted bids to this tender,” he said.

The CS further distanced a businessman named in the reports from the process, stating that he is not linked to any consortium bidding for the project.

“I think he only features in the media. He is not anywhere in our documents as a partner to any of the bidders. We have seen him in the media just like you have; we don’t know him, and he is not participating in the bid either as a sole bidder or as part of any consortium,” Chirchir added.

He emphasized that the JKIA expansion tender was conducted through an open international competitive bidding process, with all bids currently undergoing evaluation in line with procurement laws.

“The Government wishes to assure the public that every stage of this procurement has been undertaken fairly, transparently and in strict compliance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act and all applicable procurement regulations,” he said.

According to the CS, the project will significantly expand JKIA’s capacity. The current terminal, which handles about 7.5 million passengers annually, will be upgraded to accommodate 12 million passengers, while a new terminal will add capacity for an additional 10 million passengers. This will bring the airport’s total capacity to approximately 22 million passengers per year.

The planned works, expected to take up to 36 months, will include rehabilitation of existing terminals and airfield infrastructure, expansion of passenger facilities, and construction of a new terminal. The Government estimates the contract value will remain below Ksh 154.2 billion.