Government Denies Secret JKIA Contract Award Amid Cost Discrepancies

Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has denied that the government secretly awarded a multi-billion-shilling contract to upgrade Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, attempting to defuse growing public uproar over shadowy procurement dealings. The state clarified that no final deal has been signed and rejected claims linking controversial Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo to the massive aviation modernization project.

Addressing a comprehensive media briefing at Transcom House on Thursday, Chirchir insisted that the entire procurement process remains completely ongoing and transparent. The cabinet secretary vehemently refuted widespread media reports that a private firm called IMC Construction Kenya, allegedly linked to Chivayo, had secured the lucrative tender in an illegal joint venture with China Communications Construction Company.

He explicitly clarified that the project’s total cost will not exceed KSh 154.2 billion, less than half of the KSh 375 billion figure widely circulated in public spaces. Chirchir explained that all participating parties were strictly required to submit official documentation detailing the legal composition of their joint ventures, and none listed the controversial Zimbabwean tycoon.

“We wish to clarify that the company referred to in those reports did not participate in this procurement process as a bidder and has no role whatsoever,” Chirchir stated. He added that the Kenya Airports Authority is currently managing the evaluation of bids from only two legitimate Chinese corporations, ensuring the massive project remains entirely off the government’s fiscal balance sheet.

However, the state’s latest explanation has triggered far more questions from civil society groups and opposition lawmakers regarding corporate transparency. Industry insiders have quickly raised serious concerns over why critical leadership positions at the Kenya Airports Authority, including the managing director and finance general manager, are currently held in an acting capacity during such major infrastructure negotiations.

The ongoing controversy follows the high-profile cancellation of a thirty-year concession proposal with the Indian conglomerate Adani Group last year. Critics argue that the current administration’s strong reluctance to provide full disclosure regarding the airport’s master plan mirrors past executive secrecy and fuels deep public distrust over national strategic assets.

Aging The planned upgrade aims to expand the capacity of the aging aviation hub to accommodate over twenty-two million passengers annually by 2045. The National Assembly’s Transport Committee is expected to summon ministry officials next week to table the complete tender evaluation reports before any final implementation decision is formally made. Now, this brings our narrative closer to the target line.