Africa-Press – Kenya. The government has signaled plans to build a new international airport, in a fresh push to strengthen the country’s aviation capacity and global competitiveness.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, speaking at the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Symposium in Nairobi on Monday, said the state is preparing to revisit the long-delayed initiative, describing it as a strategic priority for positioning Kenya as a leading aviation hub in the region.
“Those who come in do appreciate that we do not have a modern airport. Our airport got burned in 2013 and we have tried twice to build a new one,” Chirchir said.
“But because of our democratic space, we have had so much debate. Now, we are going to make another attempt very shortly.”
He added that Kenya needs a world-class gateway to reflect its growing economic status and appeal to international visitors.
“We want to become that anchor state that attracts visitors, and when you come, you feel good arriving through the airport,” he said.
The CS revealed that the government will rely heavily on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to realise the new airport project.
This comes despite previous hurdles, such as the cancellation of the Adani Group’s contract for the upgrade of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in November 2024.
Chirchir acknowledged that previous attempts had been stalled by political and bureaucratic challenges but insisted that the government was now committed to moving forward with urgency and transparency.
If implemented, the new airport will join Kenya’s existing international airports, which include: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) – Nairobi, Moi International Airport– Mombasa, Kisumu International Airport, Eldoret International Airport and Malindi International Airport.
These airports currently serve both domestic and international routes, playing a critical role in connecting Kenya to global destinations.
However, pressure has mounted in recent years to expand capacity and upgrade infrastructure to meet increasing demand and regional competition.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who also spoke at the symposium, emphasized the government’s commitment to meeting strict timelines, with implementation of all new infrastructure projects — including the proposed airport
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