Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has rejected claims that the Kenyan government plans to sell the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to foreign investors. The speculation about the airport’s sale has been a major topic in Kenyan media, leading to a protest named ‘OccupyJKIA’ on Tuesday.
On Monday, Mudavadi addressed the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee, stating that the sale of such a significant asset would require public consultations and approval from parliament.
“The airport is not on sale. This is a public asset, a strategic asset. If it was going to be sold, you can only do it after a full public process that parliament endorses,” Mudavadi told MPs.
The Prime CS said that instead, there are plans to modernize the airport and build a new terminal.
“The Kenya Airport Authority (KAA) must look at its investment programme very carefuly, make sure that everything is transparent. So that during the expansion process of the second terminal, let it be done through the legal process so that everybody knows what is going on,” he added.
Kisii Senator Onyoka is among legislators who have publicly discussed reports on the JKIA take over.
He claims the government has handed over the airport ownership to unnamed foreign players.
“We are signing off our airport to be run by a private company for 30 years and after the contract expires, they will keep the equity of our airport at the rate of 18 per cent. Why would anyone sign such an agreement?” posed the senator, citing an unnamed French whistleblower.
The reports on the airport’s alleged sale have resulted in members of the public planning to take the Tuesday anti-government protests to JKIA.
Police have since warned against ‘occupying JKIA’ as the airport is among protected areas in Kenya.
