The Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) expansion deal, valued at Ksh. 154.2 billion, will begin after the parties signed the contract on Tuesday.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed that the government awarded the contract to China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), an engineering contractor based in China. Chirchir said CRBC has the experience needed to deliver the expansion works.
He witnessed the signing between CRBC general manager Yu Xiaodong and Aviation and Aerospace Development Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika.
“The procurement process has been ongoing over the past three months following the completion of the JKIA Master Plan in February 2026. More than 40 companies participated in the pre-bid conference held in April 2026, which clarified the project expectations and scope of work,” said CS Chirchir.
The ambitious 36-month expansion project includes the construction of a brand-new terminal building alongside advanced support facilities. Workers will also upgrade existing infrastructure, streamline both airside and landside operations, and elevate overall service delivery and operational efficiency.
The overhaul aims to nearly triple the airport’s annual capacity, scaling it up to 22 million passengers from the current 7.5 million. As a result of these massive upgrades, air traffic controllers will be able to handle up to 31 arriving aircraft per hour, a significant bump from the current limit of 25.
To fund the modernization, the State will borrow up to Ksh.100 billion and inject an additional Ksh.50 billion in equity.
Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir indicated that the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) will serve as the project’s implementing agent. This major rollout follows the government’s decision last year to halt the expansion after cancelling a 2024 agreement with India’s Adani Group, a move prompted by the indictment of the group’s founder in the United States.
