In a recent appearance before the Committee on Appointments, Kipchumba Murkomen, the nominee for Sports, Youth Affairs, and Creative Economy Cabinet Secretary, addressed the controversy surrounding the Adani Holdings proposal to renovate Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). Murkomen’s clarification aimed to dispel speculations about the privatization of Kenya’s largest airport and to outline the process involved in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement.
Murkomen emphasized that the PPP deal is not a solitary decision but rather a collective and structured process involving multiple stakeholders. The deal with Adani Holdings, an Indian firm, is still in the proposal stage. The Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) is currently reviewing the proposal to determine its viability. Once KAA completes its assessment, the proposal will be forwarded to the PPP Directorate at the National Treasury, where public input will be considered. If the proposal meets the necessary criteria, it will then proceed to the contracting authority, which will draft a report for the Transport Ministry. Subsequently, the CS will seek the Attorney General’s opinion before the deal is reviewed by the Treasury CS and presented to the Cabinet for final approval.
Murkomen strongly refuted claims that he or any single individual had the power to sell JKIA. He assured the public that the airport is secure and that the PPP process involves multiple layers of scrutiny and approval. “If someone wakes up and says such an elaborate process involves one individual let alone one agency… I have not, and do not have the capacity, to sell JKIA,” Murkomen stated. His remarks aimed to reassure Kenyans that the proposed deal is subject to rigorous oversight and that any decision made will be in the best interest of the country.
The former Transport CS also highlighted the public participation phase, which was planned for July but was disrupted by anti-government protests. He noted that such disruptions have delayed the process of informing the public about the deal.
Murkomen drew parallels to the Nairobi Expressway project, which also involved a PPP deal with a Chinese firm. The Expressway was built and tolled for 30 years before being handed back to the state. This project, he argued, demonstrates the potential benefits of PPP agreements, such as improved infrastructure and long-term value for the country.
Regarding the specifics of the JKIA renovation, Murkomen explained that the proposal includes building a new passenger terminal, refurbishing existing terminals, constructing a second runway, and enhancing cargo handling facilities. The government estimates that Ksh.260 billion is required for the upgrades. Murkomen assured that only a small portion of land, approximately 20 to 30 acres, would be set aside for the new terminal, not the extensive areas sometimes feared.
Murkomen also emphasized the need for the renovation, pointing out that Kenya’s regional competitors, including Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Tanzania, have already made significant advancements in their airport infrastructure. Without these improvements, Kenya risks falling behind.
In summary, Kipchumba Murkomen’s detailed explanation sought to address concerns about the Adani deal and the future of JKIA. By outlining the extensive approval process and emphasizing the benefits of the proposed upgrades, Murkomen aimed to reassure the public that the PPP initiative is a structured and beneficial move for Kenya’s aviation infrastructure.
