Jeremiah Kioni Jubilee Party Secretary General has announced that his party plans to cancel the lease agreement for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) if they take over power.
The government is reportedly negotiating a concession deal with the Indian firm, Adani Group to expand JKIA.
What Jeremiah Kioni said about the agreement
Kioni criticized the agreement as illegal, arguing that Parliament was not involved in the decision-making process.
He emphasized that as opposition leaders, they do not recognize the current lease and pledged to revoke it once they take over leadership of the country.
He warned, “Be very careful; when we come to power, we will not recognize that sale.”
This statement was made during an event at Ufungumano House, in Nairobi on Wednesday August 28, 2024.
The event was attended by prominent figures such as Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), and Peter Munya (PNU).
The proposed deal involves a $2 billion investment for a new terminal and runway, with operations planned for the next 30 years.
However, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi clarified on July 30, 2024 that no formal agreement has been signed with Adani Airports Holdings Limited regarding the JKIA upgrade.
He stated that the proposal is still undergoing due process, including reviews and negotiations, in accordance with the PPP Act.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also addressed the issue, denying claims that he ‘sold’ the airport during his tenure as Transport CS.
He explained that as a Cabinet Secretary, he could not enter into any Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreements by himself.
Murkomen noted that JKIA has not yet entered into a Privately Initiated Proposal (PIP) with the Adani Group.
He contrasted the situation with the Expressway project, which was developed through a PIP.
Additionally, he outlined that the PIP process involves assessing the viability of the proposal and verifying the company’s capacity, which then proceeds to the PPP directorate in the Treasury.
Murkomen assured that the current process is complex and involves multiple steps, including public participation and stakeholder engagement, before any final decisions are made.
He emphasized that the proposed new terminal will occupy only a small portion of the airport land, which is necessary for the expansion.
