Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, wooed Chinese investors to take up the modernisation and expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) following the exit of Adani Group.

Meeting with Chinese investors, Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG), ahead of President William Ruto’s highly anticipated state visit to China, Mudavadi indicated that Kenya needed a modern airport to assert its position as the leading hub for East Africa.

“Ahead of President Ruto’s state visit to China, I met with Raymond Luo, President of BUCG International, Harold Huang, General Manager of Marketing, and Wei Zhang, Vice President for Southeast Africa, to discuss their expertise in airport construction,” Mudavadi stated.

“Kenya needs a modernised Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to strengthen its position as a leading hub for Eastern Africa and the continent at large.”

Kenya needs a modernized Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to strengthen its position as a leading hub for Eastern Africa and the continent at large.

Ahead of H.E. President @WilliamsRuto’s State Visit, I met with Mr. Raymond Luo, President of BUCG International, Mr.… pic.twitter.com/FAlo2ejqCX

— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) April 22, 2025

He exuded confidence in the group’s track record, noting that they have more than 40 years of experience building and renovating airports worldwide.

“They shared insights from their 42 years of experience building over 30 airport terminals, runways, and specialised aviation facilities worldwide. I encouraged them to submit their expression of interest as Kenya prepares to invite contractors for the upcoming JKIA expansion,” Mudavadi observed.

Adani Deal

The discussions come just months after Ruto, during the state of the nation address in November 2024, cancelled Adani Group contracts on the JKIA expansion and powerline construction.

The cancellation came despite sustained efforts by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi to portray the Indian conglomerate in a positive light.

“I have stated in the past, and I now repeat today, that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action,” Ruto stated.

“Accordingly, I now direct in furtherance of the principles enshrined in article 10 of the constitution on transparency and accountability and based on new information provided by investigative agencies and partner nations that the procuring agencies within the ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA expansion public-private partnership,” he added.

Ruto’s China tour is expected to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries in manufacturing, security, infrastructure, trade, technology, agriculture, tourism and education.

“It’s an honour for me and the people of Kenya to attend the State visit in Beijing. It speaks to the friendship between these two countries. It gives me the opportunity to exchange at the highest level, expanding our relationship for mutual benefit for both Kenya and China,” Ruto said.