Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir has staree that the government does not expect the contract for the modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to exceed Ksh154.2 billion, even as the evaluation process is still ongoing.

Speaking during a presser on Thursday, June 18, 2026, Chirchir noted that the procurement process is still at the assessment stage and must comply fully with all statutory requirements, including evaluation procedures, approvals and due diligence under public procurement law.

He emphasised that no contract has been signed at this point.

“The government does not anticipate the contract award to exceed Ksh154.2 billion, and I say that because we are yet to finalise the details in the contract,” Chirchir said.

Inside the upgrade fields

He further explained that the JKIA upgrade is not limited to the construction of a new passenger terminal, but covers a wide-ranging overhaul of airport infrastructure.

The project, he said, includes rehabilitation of existing terminal facilities, expansion and upgrading of terminal buildings, rehabilitation of the airfield, and construction of a new greenfield terminal complex.

It also covers airfield infrastructure, aircraft aprons, taxiways, utility networks, access roads, aviation systems, operational support facilities, and other associated works required for a modern international airport.

Chirchir described the development as a multi-component project involving several integrated sections, all packaged under one comprehensive framework.

“It is important to appreciate that this procurement is not solely for a construction of a new passenger terminal, rather it encompasses rehabilitation of existing JKIA terminal and airfield, ” Chirchir stated.

Govt dismissing allocation claims

The government has dismissed reports circulating on the cost of the planned expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), saying some of the figures being quoted are inaccurate and misleading.

Speaking before the Senate on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said reports indicating that the airport modernisation project would cost more should not be relied upon, insisting that the figure currently known to the government is significantly lower.

According to the CS, the planned JKIA expansion would cost approximately Ksh155.3 billion and not Ksh375.4 billion, as widely reported.

According to the CS, the planned JKIA expansion would cost approximately Ksh155.3 billion and not Ksh375.4 billion, as widely reported.

“The figure that I know is half of the said 2.9 billion US dollars (Ksh375.4 billion), which is $1.2 (Ksh155.3 billion), and it is not going to put any strain on our sovereign debt,” Mbadi stated.