On Sunday evening, President William Ruto firmly denied reports suggesting that the government was selling Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to a private investor.
During a town hall meeting in Mombasa County, Ruto addressed the speculation head-on, clarifying that the government’s engagement with a private entity is part of a public-private partnership aimed at upgrading the airport.
He defended the decision by explaining that the substantial costs of refurbishing JKIA were beyond the government’s immediate capacity. “Let’s be honest, Kenyans. The current airport facilities are temporary structures we put up nearly seven years ago,” Ruto said.
He emphasized that the planned upgrade was necessary to modernize the airport and improve its infrastructure, which has been overdue for a decade.
The President elaborated on the role of the private investor, who will be tasked with constructing a new runway, building a new terminal, and refurbishing the existing infrastructure. This partnership, Ruto explained, is akin to previous successful infrastructure projects where private investment played a crucial role.
In addition to the JKIA project, Ruto highlighted that similar funding models would be used for other major infrastructure developments, including the construction of a superhighway to Nakuru.
He reassured the public that these initiatives are designed to enhance national infrastructure while leveraging private sector expertise and funding.
