LSK demands full disclosure of Ksh.375B JKIA upgrade deal awarded to Chinese firm

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for full public disclosure of the reported Ksh.375 billion contract awarded to a Chinese firm for the expansion and modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), raising concerns over transparency, procurement procedures and the project's financing model.

In a statement issued on Friday, LSK President Charles Kanjama said the massive infrastructure undertaking must be subjected to the highest standards of accountability and value for money, given its significance to the country's economy and public finances.

The contract has reportedly been awarded to the China Communications Construction Company following the collapse of a controversial proposal involving India's Adani Group, which had sought to take over and modernise JKIA through a public-private partnership arrangement.

Kanjama acknowledged the importance of upgrading Kenya's main aviation gateway but cautioned against financing arrangements that could ultimately increase the cost of air travel for Kenyans.

"Modernizing our critical aviation hub is essential for economic growth, but the proposed funding model of relying heavily on commercial loans backed by the Air Passenger Service Levy risks placing an unfair burden on Kenyan travelers and airlines," Kanjama said.

He warned that the levy should not be transformed into what he termed a hidden financing mechanism that raises the cost of flying without delivering tangible benefits to the public.

"This levy must not become a hidden financial tool that inflates the cost of flying without delivering clear benefits to ordinary citizens," he added.

The LSK President further demanded that the government make public all details relating to the contract award, including the procurement process and financing arrangements, to assure Kenyans that the project complies with constitutional and legal requirements.

"The Law Society of Kenya calls for full public disclosure of the contract terms and procurement process to ensure absolute compliance with the Constitution and public procurement laws," he stated.

Kanjama also emphasized the need for strong oversight mechanisms throughout the implementation of the project, arguing that local firms should benefit from the investment through meaningful participation in the construction and supply chains.

"We demand rigorous oversight to guarantee local content participation for Kenyan firms, alongside independent verification that this massive project delivers genuine value given the country's debt sustainability concerns," he said.

The LSK boss noted that large-scale infrastructure investments must adhere to the principles of public finance management enshrined in the Constitution.

"Large scale infrastructure projects must serve the public interest and uphold the public finance principles under Article 201 of the Constitution," he said.

He said the LSK would closely monitor developments surrounding the JKIA modernisation project and would not hesitate to challenge any actions that contravene constitutional provisions.

"The Law Society of Kenya will monitor this development closely and stands ready to take swift legal action on any constitutional violations that arise," Kanjama said.